Jackson Jambalaya

I am highly disappointed that they chose to break precedent from the Gov. and choose someone with experience over the age of 30.

Yes.. because 30 year olds aren't competent enough to do the work that a 40 or 50 year old can.

Actually we can do twice the work and be more efficient. Everyday folks in my age group are becoming millionaires but for some in "your generation" it will never be enough because "these young whippersnappers don't do it the way it's always been done"

My question (which is more relevant that 10:33 am's statement) is why was she removed when the incident happened when she was on maternity leave?

So when she isn’t there the shit goes sideways.

Looks like DPS wants to get sued by her again. Don’t mess with maternity leave, pretty sure there’s a federal reg about it.

10:45 AM, I am actually younger than you so bam. But your mom would agree that I can do twice the work...she just wouldn't want me to run a major state department or MHP for that matter.

@10:33 AM Maybe because it's a good ol' boys club, and she ain't one. Just another empty kitchen. :)

A better question is why do we have troopers in charge of training real police officers.

So what's she going to do now? Go back to the basement of HQ down the hall from the boom boom room? If she did in fact do what they said she did, why not just fire her for cause and save a lot of drama and bullshit? Or is it that they can't make a case against her without dragging in a bunch of other trucker-stuffers??

Lawsuit in 3...2...1

And yes 11:36 - especially in today's policing environment, troopers have no business training real cops. Maybe there's an updated VHS tape on modern policing in the academy's media center.

@10:55am by the looks of your response you must be in middle school... I know your mom would be so proud...

How can she be responsible for hazing that occurred while she was on leave? I agree with the others, this is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

DPS doesn’t think women should be troopers much less train them. Women should stay at home but if they have to work be a secretary or something womanly like that. You know Phil was a long term big time deputy so he know how this works

Who does a press release for a training director? Is Accounts Payable next?

August 13, 2018 at 10:45 AM - your attitude will prevent you from being one of those supposed everyday millionaires. You are arrogant, your argument is full of logical fallacies, and you won't be 30 for long!

I do, however, share your question regarding her removal while on medical leave.

Obviously some people aren't familiar with the difference between hazing and necessary rigorous law enforcement training which is seriously needed before a recruit is turned lose on the streets. Never before in the history of law enforcement has there ever been a targeting of law enforcement officers as there is now. There has never been such a scrutiny or number of complaints on law enforcement officers for abusive force, especially with tasers and deadly force as there is now all after the relaxing of training standards. Training academys are not suppose to be easy and recruits entering the academy shouldn't expect it to be so, I promise you the streets are a lot worst and aren't near about as forgiving... in the academy you can leave and go home...improperly trained on the streets you may not have that option. Everybody is not cut out to be a law enforcement officer and those need to be weeded out. In the academy I never was spit on or had feces thrown on me, on the streets I have and worst but this is not a deadly confrontation which does not justify the use of abusive force or constitute the use of deadly force. Gayle Miller-McMullin is just a victim of identity politics and has dedicated her life to the department and her only crime is trying to turn out the best troopers that Mississippi has to offer. This type of training has been going on since the conception of the State Academy so why now is it all of the sudden hazing and not training. If this was such a serious issue why wasn't it stopped a long time ago and past directors and TAC officers brought up on charges. It has been no secret for years the Trooper Academy is tough and everybody who enters it knows it... so why now, identity politics it's about the person not the deed.. It is time for a change in the whole administration and look at an administration who doesn't want to put unqualified recruits on the streets who can't take it, if something happens to that recruit because of lack of proper training in falls on the back of the admin. The relaxing of training standards is doing the recruits or the citizens of Mississippi. As far as age your not even a good seasoned officer until at least 10 years of service and in Mississippi you have to be at least 21 to become a certified officer so you can do the math.

If your cracker jack reporting has determined that she was removed for events that occurred while she was on leave, then you need to expand your sources beyond just posting whatever Gayle and her lawyer tell you.

What’s funny to me is, even after the state legislature appropriated the money from her first lawsuit where she was totally discriminated against, gave it to DPS, they still neglect to pay this awesome asset they posses. Everyone thought that once Marshall Fisher took over the Department of Public Safety, that things were going to be different, ha yeah right. From day one of him taking the office as Commissioner he should tied up any loose ends that needed to have been taken care of by the former administration, but no the Corruption, Discrimination, and Racism still remains at the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol. This agency has fallen sadly over the past 20 years. The agency leaders should feel horribly for how they have treated Captain Gayle McMullin, someone who has dedicated her life to the Patrol, just like her father did so many years ago. Colonel Chris Gillard is a racist, sexist, coward. He deserves everything he has coming to him at federal court.

6:04...wtf?

With how well 6:04 writes, he must have been the smartest person in his MHP class. It’s called a sentence; check it out sometime!

7:55 I went to an academy where the instructors talked worst than that to me, so insults from shallow people such as yourself have no affect on me. When people are clueless and can't refute the facts with intelligence all they can do is hurl insults out of ignorance. Have a great night!

604.. so by your logic, because you can run around with a mattress on your head longer than I can you are a better officer than I am?? The idea that it’s always been hard or it’s always been that way is stupid; we used to carry revolvers and ride on horseback too. Law enforcement training needs to change because of the evolving threats not stay the same as it has always been. How can a trooper who has only written tickets and worked wrecks teach a recruit how to work a burglary, armed robbery, domestic violence, etc. I’m sure he/she has a wealth of experience to draw in for those classes.

SNAFU. Sooner or later, everyone will admit that Phil Bryant is a terribly weak leader and any progress we made under Haley has been negated via terrible appointments and piss poor management.

Another lawsuit coming. This time it's going to be a federal lawsuit - FMLA discrimination. It's a violation of federal law to discriminate (in an employment setting) against an employee who is out on Family Medical Leave Act circumstances.

EEOC handles FMLA charges. One call, that's all.

translation of 6:04, the hazing continues. you don't understand. we are smarter than you. yada yada

I will say that I agree with the fact that troopers do not need to train police officers. Maybe as PT instructors, traffic stop training and accident investigation, but that’s about it. It’s a completely different job. The training academy does put out some fine, highly trained officers on both sides of the fence; Troopers and Police. And I also agree with 11:40, Phil Bryant has dropped the ball completely. He has appointed the worst of the worst as leaders over state agencies. Marshall Fisher has pretty much let Chris Gillard ruin the highway patrol and I’m hearing he’s letting Dowdy do the same at MBN. It’s gonna take a whole lot undoing and repairing all the mess that has been made over the past 7 years when Bryant is finally gone.

It’s funny how Gillard goes above and beyond to take care of his “boys.” Perkins has been promoted, moved around to wherever and whatever job he’s wanted. It’s kinda funny, because maybe 18 months or so ago, he spent several thousands of dollars buying parts for his personal race car and charged it all to his state issued credit card. Of course nothing was said or done about that. It’s kinda funny how certain people get away with murder and others are crucified and given the death penalty, because they aren’t liked by the administration. Apparently if one kisses ass and let’s the brass walk all over them, they are rewarded and those that stand up for themselves and refuse to be treated like garbage are immediately done away with. There are troopers rolling over in their graves right now over the way Gillard is ruining the organization every time he goes to work. You know you have pissed some men off when you have to have a personal bodyguard as the chief of the highway patrol. Bryant needs to step up and do something about it.

to 6 :04 pm.......NEVER BEFOR IN THE HISTORY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THERE BEEN AS MUCH TARGETING AS NOW. hahahahaha,,, another law enforcement jack boot who thinks history all began in his generation. not quite. truth of the matter cops can get away with just about anything.

We've been reminded a number of times recently that a police force, whether Reservoir, Sheriff, highway controlmen or municipal, is a club, a family, a brotherhood. They cling together and protect their own. It's all about loyalty to one another. Period. Protect and defend (each other). Lie when necessary.

Sorta like at the circus (no pun intended)...When one hollers "Hey Rube", they all drop whatever they're doin' and come a'runnin'. If you're not 'in the brotherhood', you are on a list.

@ 8:47 Amen, thank you! I am a former employee of MHP who was fired due to my contact and friendship with Captain McMullin. I was never written up, verbally reprimanded, nothing. I was told to report to the station where I was handed a letter from Chris Gillard advising me of my termination. I was told by personnel that Gillard said “ if I can’t get McMullin now, I’ll go after her friends” Word gets around, especially at headquarters. That’s what kind of Department he is running.

Attorneys are running MHP. Their intentions are to prosecute the employees, rather than help them. They tend to stack charges on Troopers and hang them out to dry. They recently fired two master sergeants for the alleged “hazing” incident at the last MHP academy. Anthony Schmidt took the statements from former cadets and turned it in to something it wasn’t. They will be reinstated after all of the real facts come out in their EAB hearings. Those two men were phenomenal ambassadors of MHP. Great, skilled, hard working men that were intentionally screwed by Chris Gillard. I hope he and all of his cronies realize that they won’t be in those positions forever. Sixteen more months to be exact. So I’d be careful and think about the things you do to people before you do it, because karma is real!

It's a club of buffoons who actually have been taught to believe they can do whatever the shit they want to do with no consequences or repercussions. It's actually a drastic anomaly, like a holdover from personnel offices in the early sixties.

Gillard isn’t running anything...just thumping his bible listening to his masters Lt. Col. Guin and our once was a “reserve volunteer” sheriff deputy governor...if Chris had had the heart he claimed non of this would go on...he has his high four years if you can’t stand up and do what’s right...GO HOME...stop thumping the Bible finding stuff to quote while keeping your seat warm and take it on home

Yep! What 7:03 said!!!

Funny KF won’t post facts I’ve stated about his friend Gayle and her click

Friend? news to me. Would've approved your comment but for the first sentence or two. No proof at all so I'm not getting sued just because you said its true. Rest of post was fine although amusing.

@ 8:09, You mad, bro?

Let's discuss the real issue here. Racism.

It is quite obvious that there are a number of MHP troopers, or former troopers, posting in here speaking half-truths or outright lies. I too have worked with MHP and have known Chris for quite a while and can stated unequivocally that he is a principled man that does try to live out his faith.

Does he make the right decision every time? Nope. Guess what, nobody that posts on this blog does so either. Unfortunately for him, and fortunately for you, all of his decisions are laid bare for the world to see due to his position. The same is not true for you...a blessing for sure.

The real issue here is that there are a large number of white troopers that dislike Chris because he is black. It is that simple and it is shameful. No one would mention that on this blog, but certainly behind the scenes at the local gym, in the corner at the substation or at the training academy, it is discussed.

MHP certainly suffers from a lack of leadership, but it is not at the top. Randy Ginn and Chris Gillard get to try to make chicken salad out of chicken crap every day. The leadership deficit is and has been at the Master Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain level.

That deficit, frankly, results from the recruitment phase for MHP. If you are barely able to graduate high school, you are A-Okay to be a trooper. There is a defined intelligence issue that is a root cause. This results in an emotional and professional intelligence issue through the ranks. The result is stupid people making stupid decisions which have to be corrected by those at the top, like Chris and Randy.

The lack of intelligence results in manifestations such as making character judgments based on one's skin color as opposed to their actual capabilities, desires and results.

But...this issue will persist as long as the statutory baseline to be a trooper is having a GED and ability to run a long way without quitting.

If the legislature and the governor actually want to improve this vicious cycle of despair at MHP, they should change the law to require at least an associates degree to be eligible to be a trooper. Reward those with education with higher pay throughout their career.

Work towards a leaner, smarter highway patrol and take away the protections the troopers enjoy through the state personnel board so that problem employees can be removed immediately - just like the rest of the private world.

Since when is the owner/operator of a blog liable for the content posted by those who may or may not identify themselves? Can you provide a citation for that suggestion?

"Your question is a legitimate one; however, I'm just not going to allow it" in 3..2..1.

Well it sounds like they’ve gotten rid of her “clique”, or at least working on it. Apparently DPS doesn’t miss an opportunity to put more money in Dennis Horn’s pocket. I’m beginning to think maybe they should just hire Horn. That way he legally and ethically couldn’t burn their asses up anymore. DPS keeps his lights on and water running, that’s for sure!

Thanks for posting that, Colonel Gillard @9:07. It’s good to see you enjoy reading the “writing on the bathroom wall.” An associates degree.....for a job that pays less than 40K a year? Great idea! Then you will have a pool of about 37 applications as opposed to the mere 300 or so that were received for this next class. Until MHP starts paying Troopers and stops treating them like garbage, it will be the same ole somf and dance. I will agree with you on one thing, racism is very prevalent at MHP. On BOTH sides and from what I have heard, it’s worse coming from the blacks. Pull your head out of your third point of contact and you would probably see that for yourself. You should get out and do some traffic enforcement, maybe work a wreck or two and experience what your under paid and over worked men do everyday. I’m sure they would appreciate the help. And if by chance this isn’t Gillard.......they pay you attorneys to work, so get off of this site, posting comments and get back to your job of stepping on the peons that wear the badge.

@8:47
You are correct in one way only and that is that the issue is racism. Unfortunately, it appears as though you believe only white troopers are the big bad racists. That's just not the truth. To support this I'll submit the following: 1) There is a black only Mississippi Troopers Coalition. Why? There is already a mixed race, open to everyone Mississippi State Troopers Association who lobbies the legislature and DPS leadership on behalf of ALL troopers. 2) The last Colonel, wrote in the Mississippi State Troopers Association magazine that his biggest success in his career was the fact that there are more black supervisors after his tenure as Colonel. This was done through positions that were not tested for primarily. Some were not testable positions and others were by policy tested positions that the Colonel determined the promotion policies were not going to get in the way of promoting a black trooper. 3) Interestingly just before a group of white tac officers were accused of hazing during MHP's academy, two black tac officers were overheard telling a third black tac officer to take it easy on the black cadets because MHP needed more blacks on the patrol. What did Gillard investigate with this? Nothing. Now just imagine two white tac officers being overheard saying the same about white cadets! Heads would roll. 4) A couple of years ago a white trooper was fired for being under the influence of his legal prescription drugs at a training event while this year a black trooper showed up drunk to training and is still employed. Double standard much? Now to the second real issue is corruption. Some troopers are allowed to embezzle through the active shooter program, get locked up for domestic abuse and still be employed, while there are troopers fired for speeding and fired for offenses in which they have already been reprimanded years before. But hey, if you're friends with Gillard that's great. Just understand if those below him are the ones screwing the agency up, then he has an obligation to put people in place that will do right. And at that he has failed!

8:47 - Since you've played the race card, what percent of new hires at the trooper level in the past ten years has been black? I rarely see a white trooper any more. Have we gone full circle? Has this led to the 'GED' level decline you speak so eloquently of?

Am I actually hearing you suggest that the force has been 'dumbed down' by the push to hire so many African Americans? Did the same happen in every state agency beginning back in the mid seventies?

At one time Employment Security, Welfare, Medicaid, Game and Fish, Department of Public Safety and most other state agencies had zero minority employees unless you count janitors. Then in 1969 a few hired a token or two and they all 'felt obligated' to hire a black EEO Officer. Then the race for parity was on and now its difficult to find a white employee in some of those agencies.

So, I'm not sure if you're saying "promote more blacks" or "stop this GED syndrome madness". I doubt there is one white trooper in the field with a GED.

847... not here about the racism claim but just to ask didn’t Gillard go through the recruitment process, come up through the ranks, indoctrinated in the same (toxic) ideology at MHP? So if the other leaders ineptitude is due to poor recruitment practices, unintelligent people, wouldn’t he too fall into that category? I’ve heard him speak; seems your assessment has some merit; MHP can do better in hiring more educated people

@8:47
Let's do this...Get DPS to hand over the details to all of the lawsuits for discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation that have been filed/settled/lost/and admitted to with the last two black Colonels. Compare that to the last two white Colonels and see where the problem lies. Then go look at the Employee Appeals Board records and see how many cases of improper discipline and firings that they have overturned against the DPS leadership and incompetent lawyers. This ultimately all falls in the lap of Phil Bryant though. His appointees have done more over the last 7 years to ensure the MHP goes to waste while they personally benefit than any other administration in the agencies history. The agency habitually ignores state personnel board regulations and policies in promotions and in discipline dealings with their employees. The sad truth is that there is NO accountability for their wrongdoing. The tax payers end up paying these settlements due to the leadership's corrupt decisions. The agency doesn't even miss a dollar from their budget. So you want accountability, then the legislature and governor is where the buck stops.

So here's my question to all the DPS posters on here. Where is Gayle McMullan assigned now? If I remember correctly Kingfish has reported that she won a settlement in her lawsuit for discrimination against DPS that resulted in DPS having to retroactively promote her to the director of training position. Barring any disciplinary issues or just cause it seems they wouldn't be allowed to simply move her at their will and pleasure. It just sounds fishy to me. Anyone with knowledge care to opine?

"Barring any disciplinary issues or just cause it seems they wouldn't be allowed to simply move her at their will and pleasure. It just sounds fishy to me. Anyone with knowledge care to opine?"

I don't have any particular knowledge of the facts in the case, but my speculation radar tells me she is about to skin their ass for half a million dollars.

Roses Bluff gains a new resident with boathouse improvements.