Sunday, July 1, 2018

Mayor Appoints Another Interim Police Chief.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba appointed Assistant Police Chief James Davis as Interim Police Chief last Thursday.  Chief Davis is the third interim police chief since Mayor Lumumba assumed office in July 2017.  However, there is a question of whether Chief Davis can serve as Interim Chief without a confirmation vote for 180 or 90 days. 



*Chief of Staff Safiyah Omari introduce former WJTV reporter Candice Cole as the new Communications Director.

*Ms. Cole announced Interim Chief Anthony Moore was stepping down from the position.  She thanked him for several accomplishments:

1. Creating the Police ID Task Force
2. Eliminating the distribution of mug shots for juvenile suspects
3. Implementation of Independent Review Process for officer-involved shootings.

No mention was made about any reductions in crime, fighting crime, or for that matter, anything related to crime.

*Assistant Chief James Davis was promoted to Interim Chief.  A press release provided information about his background:

Interim Chief James Davis brings nearly25 years of experience with the Jackson Police Department to his new role. His first 10 years were spent as a patrol officer before becoming the first Black Range Master at the training academy. From there, he came up through the ranks of the department being named Sargent then Lieutenant of the 3rd Precinct. He then went on to become District Commander, Deputy Chief, and then Assistant Chief. Chief James also has 15 years with the SWAT Team and is touted as a superior marksman.

* Ms. Cole introduced Chief Davis.  He thanked his wife and the Mayor for the opportunity to serve as police chief.  He asked the public to help JPD and said that the police could not fight crime without the public's help. 

*Mayor Lumumba announced that he is commencing a "search for a permanent police chief."  He invited Chief Davis to submit his name for the permanent position. 

Ross Adams (8:45) asked the Mayor if there was a lack of stability at the position.  Chief Davis is the third chief under the Lumumba administration in less than a year.  Mayor Lumumba said he was complying with the "new law that requires a chief to be confirmed within 180 days."  He said the law "presents a new challenge" that his administration was the first administration to actually have to to face that challenge." 

However, the law went into effect on July 1, 2016.  The law placed a 180-day limit on interim appointments serving in positions that required a confirmation vote from the legislative branch. The Attorney General decreed in a 2016 opinion that the 180-day limitation would begin to run for the interim appointments on July 1, 2017.  The law was amended in 2017 to include appointments to boards and commissions that required confirmation votes.

Hold on to your hats.  The law was amended yet again in 2018.*  The law states that as of today, interim appointments can only serve for 90 days without a confirmation vote.  The Mayor will undoubtedly argue that Chief Davis can serve for 180 days without a confirmation vote since he was appointed before the effective date of the new law, July 1, 2018.   The new law also allows registered voters of the municipality to sue to enforce the law in Chancery Court.  The city must pay the attorney's fees for the voter if he wins the lawsuit. Othor Cain asked an interesting question about it at 12:10. 

*The Mayor said former Chief Moore had not decided whether to remain at JPD.  He said he asked Mr. Moore to stay.

Kingfish note: One troubling feature of Chief Moore's tenure was wall that was put up between the public and information about crime. The Comstat reports had not been updated on the city website since November.  Chief Moore changed the meeting schedule of Comstat meetings from weekly to bi-weekly and those meetings were often cancelled.  The number of homicides is no longer included with press releases reporting a homicide.  The amount of  raw information that is available to citizens has been greatly reduced under the Lumumba administration as it was under his father.  At least they put the minutes of City Council meetings on the website.  Harvey Johnson wouldn't allow those to be posted.  Two JPD employees in the Comstat department recently quit so don't expect the release of crime information may not improve anytime soon. 

It is concerning that the Mayor has taken over a year to appoint a permanent police chief.  JPD has had three chiefs in less than a year and if another change is made, it will be 4 chiefs in less than 18 months.  Mayor Lumumba can cite the "challenge" of complying with the law but he has had a whole year to hire a permanent chief.  Apple, Microsoft, and IBM manage to hire new CEO's in less than a year.  There is simply no reason why the city of Jackson can not hire a police chief in less than a year.  Here is some sincere advice for the Mayor: get rid of the pointy-head professors.  PhD's are great at thinking and talking but aren't so great at doing.  They are masters of creating endless lists of criteria and master plans that somehow never seem to work or get implemented.  Get some people around you who have a record of doing something instead of talking about something.  
 
* Here is the new law.
SECTION 2. Section 21-15-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-15-41. (1) No person shall serve in an interim or hold-over capacity for longer than * * * ninety (90) days in a position that is required by law to be filled by appointment of the governing body of a municipality, or by mayoral appointment with the advice and consent of the council or aldermen. If such position is not filled within * * * ninety (90) days after the expiration of the position's term, or within * * * ninety (90) days after the date of appointment if an interim appointment, the hold-over service or interim appointment shall terminate and no municipal funds may thereafter be expended to compensate the person serving in the position. Further, any action or vote taken by such person after the * * * ninety-day period shall be invalid and without effect. If a council or board of aldermen rejects, or otherwise fails to confirm, an individual submitted by the mayor for appointment, the mayor may not resubmit or reappoint the same individual for that position during the remainder of the mayor's current term in office.

(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions of this section shall apply * * * to all appointees serving in a hold-over or interim capacity on the effective date of this act * * *. For such appointees, the * * * limitation period * * * for serving in a hold-over or interim capacity shall be no longer than ninety (90) days from July 1, 2018.

(3) Any registered voter who resides in the municipality may file all objections to any matters relating to an alleged violation of this section in the chancery court of the county where the municipality is located. The chancery court is authorized to adjudicate and determine relief as may be proper. The court shall award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party. Copy of bill.

10 comments:

Axing For A Frand.. said...

Is this a circle jerk or what?

Back Row said...

The price of popcorn just jumped!

Anonymous said...

Subsection (2) makes it so damn clear that even I can understand the legal gobbly-gook. 90 days starting July 1, 2018 period!

Denial ain’t a river in Egypt said...

How many “internals” have been promoted to chief does this make? When is the last time someone with no JPD history and was hired from the outside? Just asking for a friend.

Anonymous said...

Note to the writer of the press release.

It's spelled "sergeant," not "sargent."

Playground Coach said...

You put this man in,
You pull that man out,
You put this dude in and you shake 'em all about....

Anonymous said...

Next!

Cynical Sam said...

Baby Choke must be advertising for this position on Craigslist.

Anonymous said...

There is simply no reason why the city of Jackson can not hire a police chief in less than a year.

Sure there is. Rule out the majority of qualified applicants based on irrelevant criteria (skin color, political ideology, etc.). This leaves a very small pool. Most of these will have sense enough to run the other way, or they are in some way objectionable due to irrelevant criteria, and won't be confirmed.

Rinse and repeat.

Anonymous said...

Chokwa is conducting a nationwide search. He should just look in Detroit.

Now that would be radical.

Can the chief also live in Ridgeland with Samify the Sage One?


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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