Jackson Free Press

One day after Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced his nominees for Jackson Police Chief and Fire Chief, many city officials and employees are waiting to form their opinions. Johnson's appointees require approval from the Jackson City Council before taking office.

"I am confident that both these individuals can hit the ground running to lead our public safety departments," Johnson said in a release. "Each of them has a great deal of knowledge of their respective departments and have both served in them previously."

Rebecca Coleman, Johnson's pick for police chief, rose through the Jackson Police Department ranks over 20 years, finally reaching the post of deputy chief. She has been serving as Jackson State University's director of public safety since 1998.

Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba reserved judgment on Coleman's qualifications, but he expressed regret that Johnson did not nominate Interim Chief Tyrone Lewis, another JPD officer who climbed the ranks. Since being appointed by late Mayor Frank Melton in April, Lewis has placed a strong emphasis on community policing, Lumumba said.

"I think Chief Lewis has managed to address the diversity of communities in Jackson," Lumumba told the Jackson Free Press. "The couple of times I've talked to him, he's seemed very opposed to what I call 'policing with an attitude.'"

Lumumba said that he expects to decide whether he will support Coleman's nomination by early next week.

Det. Juan Cloy, president of Jackson's police union, declined to comment on Coleman's selection, noting, "She left before I even became a cop."

Johnson's selection for Fire Department Chief, Raymond McNulty, served in that capacity during the mayor's previous administration. Former Mayor Melton waged a two-year campaign to replace McNulty with Todd Chandler, whom the City Council never approved.

A.J. Bryant, president of Jackson's Local 87 chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters, said he hoped McNulty would build off the successes of current Chief Vernon Hughes. "I just hope he will be as genuinely friendly and supportive of the union as Chief Hughes was," Bryant said. "I think (Hughes) did an excellent job with what he had to work with, money-wise. I hope (McNulty) tries to finish what Chief Hughes started."

During his tenure as chief, McNulty came under fire from more places than the mayor's office. In 2002, then-fire Capt. David Campbell won an $80,000 award for a racial discrimination suit against the city. Campbell, who is white, alleged that he had been passed over for training and promotion because of his race. He told the Jackson Free Press that he found McNulty's nomination, for a second time, outrageous.

"I can't believe they would nominate him again," Campbell said. "He was sued twice. They're going to reappoint this guy? I find that completely absurd and kind of a slap in the face to the public."

Then, in 2007, four female firefighters won a $750,000 judgment against the city for sexual harassment. The four did not accuse McNulty of harassment, but they alleged that he had condoned the behavior. A federal judge later threw the award out, and the firefighters settled with the city for an undisclosed sum.

"We had some highs and lows" under McNulty, Bryant acknowledged, adding that a more generous budget under McNulty's previous leadership allowed for more frequent promotion exams. He hopes that McNulty can offer the same opportunities for advancement in leaner times.

"Chief Hughes did an excellent job with so little," Bryant said. "He didn't have much to work with."

Previous Comments

ID

152453

Comment

Maybe we will get to see a real female police officer run a police department. I'm bothered by the claims of arrogance about her, if truthful. Surely, Johnson will let her do her job, and not be like the other fellow, Frank "Super Hero" Melton. I miss Frank, though. He was the action in Jackson!

Author

Walt

Date

2009-10-05T17:02:50-06:00

ID

152461

Comment

I'll give the mayor some credit, at least it took him less than 18 months to find a police chief this time.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-10-06T07:11:34-06:00