Want more proof of how dysfunctional JPD is? Today's Clarion-Ledger said it all as Sergeant Tyrone Lewis was promoted: The promotion was made quietly on Tuesday. Chief Malcolm McMillin did not return calls for comment on Wednesday.
Assistant Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance verified the promotion Wednesday afternoon.
"He is back to the rank of commander, and he will be paid as a commander," Vance said. "I don't know to the penny (what his salary will be.)". http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/NEWS/804030371/1001/news
Mr. Lewis was demoted from the position of Deputy Police Chief to Sergeant after it was discovered that as head of the training academy, he allowed his son to host parties there without the required permit, insurance policy, and paying the city the permit fees. See earlier post: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/12/should-mac-fire-tyrone-lewis.html
Unfortunately, the demotion only lasted a few months. Unfortunate because Mr. Lewis and his son BROKE THE LAW, as explained in another post, http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/12/so-did-tyrone-lewis-break-law.html:
Jackson ordinance No. 2000-29(14), Sections 176-195, (adopted Aug. 22, 2000), spells out the guidelines for what is considered to be a special event and how a permit for one is to be obtained by a sponsor. http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=11036&sid=24
Use of the facilities requires an event sponsor to submit an event application to a special events committee (p. 2). A copy of an insurance policy is required and minimum coverage is prescribed (p.3). There are different classes of permits. If the event has over 500 people, than the fees are$275 for 3 hours. If under 500 people, then it is $50 for 3 hours.
The law also states "Any person violating any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 for each violation of the article."
This is not just a case of Mr. Lewis trying to help his son. This is a case of helping his son avoid paying the city and obtaining permits in violation of the law. The next question is will there be a prosecution for these violations which ARE misdemeanors? Since Mr. Lewis IS the head of the training academy he can not claim ignorance of the law. If HE is not the expert on the law since he is the one in charge of making sure recruits know policies and procedures, then who is?"
I stood by those remarks then and I stand by them now. Mr. Lewis and his son broke the law repeatedly- PERIOD! They are guilty of SEVERAL misdemeanors. Mr. Lewis used his position to enrich his son at our expense. If one wants proof of how dysfunctional JPD is, this promotion is it. It sends a loud signal that there is one standard for well-connected police officers and then one for the rest of us.
One brickbat also needs to be thrown at the reporter, Kathleen Baydala, who didn't bother to get her facts straight as she wrote: "Lewis, a veteran Jackson police officer, was demoted in late December because of a policy violation." Wrong Ms. Baydala. An ordinance is NOT a policy but is a LAW as we learned in Civics 101. Mr. Lewis and his son broke the law. Basic factchecking. Its.not.that.hard.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Tyrone Lewis: Back on Top.
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3 comments:
"Nothing to see here folks, move along."
I trust Sheriff Mac's judgment and I believe he's done a good job with JPD to date. However, this promotion and the whitewashing of the "events" Tyrone's son held at the facility stinks like green cheese.
I guess the old saying is true: "the more things change, the more Jackson stays the same and Jackson will never change as long as it is run by a raft of narcissistic, self-righteous fools."
I can't wait for our new convention center to open. I'm sure people will be impressed with Jackson's "progress".
Hey, isn't it about time for Melton to be indicted again? I mean, it has been months now. He's bound to have done something stupid since the last episode(s).
I'm disappointed in Malcolm. He treated this whole thing like it was 'timeout' on the playground, a period of suspension for Mr. Lewis. This violation is no different from the educator who was allowed to resign last year after having converted school property to personal use. Its no different than a Jr. College official losing his job for having his personal car worked on at the school. So far, this is the low point of Malcomb's new adventure. It certainly seems to set a standard as to what he will condone.
Malcolm has a PHD in Boss Hoggology. But he ain't got sh*t for sense in anything related to properly executing personnel matters. What he did, unbeknownst to himself, was set a fine precedent moving forward. Now he'll not be able to act more harshly in similar circumstances without incurring the wrath of Dale Danks who will represent anybody Mac comes down on. Oh what a tangle web...........
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