Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Priester Speaks!

Jackson Ward 2 City Councilman Melvin Priester, Jr. had a few things to say about the Hollins scandal at JPD on his Facebook page yesterday:

When the City faces storms like the one we find ourselves in today, people want to know first and foremost that a fair, independent, and competent investigation will occur.

People understand that you can’t know everything immediately. But, they can tell if you’re taking steps to get to the bottom of the situation versus just circling the wagons.

In this case, the truth that really matters has to do with figuring out how did this officer do what he did to this child. Likewise, are we dealing with an isolated incident with one abuser or is there a systemic problem?

To know the scope of the problem requires a fair, independent, and competent investigation into the problem.

We need to take our well-justified lumps about this weekend and move on.

What are we even debating?

If Lisa Ross or a mother in Lisa Ross’s office calls to tell you that a COP IS REGULARLY RAPING A CHILD IN A POLICE CRUISER, you don’t put that meeting off until tomorrow.

There are too many people who have spent the night in jail for simple assault or drunk and disorderly with way less evidence than a mother with a cell phone vid and testimony that “this man in a position of authority abused my daughter.”

These are not the biggest criticisms we are about to face before this matter is over. If we are pushing back against softball critiques like those two, that lessens confidence that we will seriously engage in the sort of fair, independent, and competent investigation that this moment demands.

I hope that this guy was a lone wolf. I also hope we’ve got the press conferences out of our system. We’re just had conclusive evidence of at least one, very rotten apple in JPD. Confidence has been shaken such that we’re not getting people back on our side by arguing over how fast the chief answered his phone and if the mother called back. The first thing that will get citizen confidence back is showing concrete steps that we will take to quickly and conclusively get to the bottom of this and showing how we will be the sort of department where this will never happen again.

Yup.
 

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not real smart on the councilman’s part to comment on an ongoing investigation and potential lawsuit.

Anonymous said...

At least he's honest. Time to make a run for mayor, Melvin. Just keep your head out of Benny's ass and think for yourself. Kinda scary that you seem to be the best viable option with your close to ties to Benny but this is where we are.

Anonymous said...

I appreciate the honesty much more than anything else that has been said by the administration (and more than anything that has been said on this board for that matter)

Anonymous said...

If the culture is bad in the JPD, it didn't magically start with this chief. Hmmm, who was chief 24 months ago and was a lifelong JPD officer?

Anonymous said...

This has been a historical, ongoing problem with JPD and all their cover ups. Bracy Coleman, Tyrone Lewis, INCLUDING VANCE and NOW, Chief James Davis.
I'm
They're all cut from the same cloth. This is why Vance will not be elected Sheriff. We've heard it all before and it's the same ole song and dance with all the same guys, from the same erra..

No thank you Vance.
Stay happily retired.





Anonymous said...

10:07= SPOONER. we see you. Keep campaigning.

Anonymous said...

9:42 The councilman's statement is not the kind that would create or expand the city's liability in this matter. His statement is very appropriate for a city official assuring his constituents that his interest in truth are the same as theirs. It's a stain on the city's police department but a worse stain if a fast and full investigation is not under way. What's wrong with that?

Anonymous said...

Again, Councilnerd Priester shows his ignorance whenever his manicured fingers gently tap out another faux folksy Facebook message. Can someone please let this tech guru know that Facebook is dead?

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

12:21

FB isn't dead for Jackson.

Anonymous said...

I hear chatter on this post of Bennie Thompson, which I do not know why. I dare anyone to watch an opening statement from Thompson or any of his brilliant comments as chairman of the homeland security committee. Priester would be able to win hands-down. I would welcome that with open arms and I am not even a Priester fan in any sense of the word.

Anonymous said...

Don't the few tax payers left in the city get tired of paying for lawsuits, embezzlement loses, misuse of government property, paying the salary of the sisters brothers cousin?

Think of all the money you would save if you didn't have such corrupt and unaccountable public officials.

Anonymous said...

Put your prejudices and subjectiveness away. His statement is appropriate and well stated. It's hard to find some leadership in city hall, so take it when you can get it.

Anonymous said...

@2:03 complete noob in every sense of the word. Sorry you can't keep up with what's being discussed.

Anonymous said...

@3:12 pm. Yes, it sooooo refreshing for a politician to call out for doing the right thing for a change. Hey, just like your mayor did when that young lady from JA died on Ridgewood Road. Right? Wait, what happened? What happened to just doing the right thing? Oh, I get it. Once the TV cameras go dark so does their “just do the right thing” bs. Bottom feeders all!

Anonymous said...

Hollies was a rogue cop who had been out of control for a long time. Very damn few Chiefs of Police would countenance that type of behavior from an authority figure who carries a weapon. The rats are bobbing and weaving now but the bottom line is that nothing will change, no actions will be taken, and Jackson will be the poorer for an astounding lack of leadership.

Anonymous said...

Would someone please ask the Legislator that took over the Airport to come pick up the city of Jackson while he is at it. This place is a dumpster fire. It is literally time for a complete reset. Burn the thing down to the ground and start over.

Anonymous said...

I’m not a Priester fan, but he may be on to something. There are some disturbing posts on FaceBook defending Hollins. Disturbing being that they are posted by other officers.

The chief may not step down, but some heads need to role if these crimes took place for 6 months while Hollins was on duty. We’ll know soon enough if it was a culture.

Burke said...

Thank God for Mel, Jr.

Anonymous said...

Why has the mayor not turned this investigation over to an independent arm of government? Of course Chokwe's answer would be 'blacks gotta investigate blacks and we will do our own damned investigation. We don't need nobody else up in our kitchen'.

Seems to me it would make sense to request the assistance of the MHP investigative staff or some other authority with experience in internal investigations.

As long as the knee-jerk (and ongoing) response is to circle the wagons and 'cover thine own asses', there will be no honesty in this matter.

Anonymous said...

I usually find Councilman Urkel's posts quite entertaining.



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