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Jackson Clarion Ledger - Jacks
27 October 2006

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Thompson

Accused-lawmen list grows

Coahoma County Sheriff Andrew Thompson gave a blunt assessment of the rash of arrests and guilty pleas of Mississippi law enforcement officers.

"It's a polyp out there, and it could turn cancerous," Thompson said.

In the past four months, at least 16 law enforcement officers - including two police chiefs and two sheriffs - have been accused of breaking the law, with some avoiding a trial and admitting their guilt.

The latest guilty admission came Thursday from Ruleville Police Chief Ronald Robinson. He pleaded guilty to a federal charge of using his position to extort $3,000 in cash payoffs in exchange for not pursuing drug and gambling charges and providing protection for a suspected crack cocaine dealer. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Federal officials would not comment on the plea because charges against Ruleville Assistant Police Chief Larry Mitchell have yet to be settled. Robinson and Mitchell were indicted in July. Calls to Robinson's attorney seeking comment were not returned.

Last Thursday, Yazoo City Police Chief Ceasar Felton turned himself in after being indicted on five counts of embezzlement and one count of obtaining property by false pretense for allegedly persuading a woman to sign a 10-year-old Hyundai over to him to settle apparently fictitious impound fees. A day later, Tupelo Police Capt. Robert Hall was arrested on obstruction of justice and accessory- after-the-fact charges for allegedly mishandling an accident that left a young boy seriously injured.

Thompson said the string of arrests represents the behavior of a small percentage of the state's law enforcement.

"But that small percentage still makes it look like a giant problem," said Thompson, president of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association. "It paints a dim picture for the public."

Starkville resident Jeffrey Harrington said she was shocked by the arrest of officer Ledrekko "Tut" Williams earlier this month in nearby West Point. Williams was arrested on bribery and alteration of records charges for allegedly accepting $1,000 in November 2004 to remove a traffic citation for careless driving from a driver's record.

"It just takes you to the point where you don't know who to trust," said Harrington, who works in a fast-food restaurant. "I think some of them just take their authority (as officers) to the limit."

James Powell, district attorney for Yazoo, Holmes and Humphreys counties, said the public's trust in local government takes a beating when he has to prosecute a public official. "It's tough on the public confidence," Powell said. "People have a right to expect more."

Dan Carlson, director of the Plano, Texas-based Institute for Law Enforcement Administration, said criminal charges brought against police officers strike at the heart of the agreement people make in giving the police special powers of investigation and arrest.

"We expect them to use that power and authority equitably and fairly," he said.

Carlson, whose institute puts emphasis on police ethics, said when a police chief or a sheriff is charged, public confidence is shaken even more, since it puts an entire department under a shadow of doubt. "When a leader engages in problem behavior, the effect is profound," he said.

Tom Hood, executive director of the Mississippi Ethics Commission, which investigates complaints against public officials, said there is nothing wrong with the public having a "healthy dose of cynicism" when it comes to the behavior of public officials.

"If that turns to a lack of confidence in the government, we have a problem," he said.

The string of arrests does not necessarily mean there is a systematic problem, Hood said. While he said it is hard to measure, Hood said he believes there is less public corruption now than in past generations, in part as a result of increased prosecutions and a heightened awareness of what constitutes ethical behavior.

As for the recent arrests, Hood said, "Hopefully it means we are doing a better job of rooting out corruption." Hood said the arrests have not resulted in an increase in complaints to the Ethics Commission, he said.

Thompson said the sheriff's association encourages sheriffs to emphasize continuing education and high standards in their departments, right down to how employees look and dress.

Thompson said stamping out problems at their genesis is another way to enforce ethical behavior.

"If one of my officers steps across the line, I don't hesitate," he said. "I take care of that situation immediately."

Carlson said it is important that law enforcement agencies make ethics a part of their ongoing training and maintaining a high ethical standard must come from the top.

"The agencies where it takes hold best is where the boss is part of the conversation," he said.

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Jackson Clarion Ledger - Jacks27 October 2006

Accused-lawmen list grows

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Jackson Clarion Ledger - Jacks
27 October 2006