Lord Protector Tate Reeves posted the following statement on social media.
Sunday is a good time for prayerfully considering hard issues. With the expectation that the Attorney General, on behalf of the State of Mississippi, will be in court this week to officially file criminal charges against six officers from Rankin County, I feel compelled to share what has been on my heart lately.
I’m sure many of you know what happened and the guilty pleas that recently came down in the federal case… But to summarize for those who aren’t familiar: police officers tortured and humiliated two men who moved into “the wrong neighborhood.” They did mock executions, used sex toys, and ultimately shot one of the men through the cheek with a gun in his mouth. There was no evidence these men committed a crime prior to the officers entering the home.
All of these are undisputed facts according to the guilty pleas from all six officers. And it certainly seems clear that race was a—and likely the—motivating factor for their disgusting actions.
At this moment, I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:6: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
Clearly, these officers’ actions were evil. That is the plain truth. I know that many who back the blue might fear that speaking this truth unfairly paints all officers with a broad brush. I’m scared as hell about the way LEOs are treated in this country. God knows I’ve spoken at far more funerals of those killed in the line of duty than I could have ever possibly imagined. I’ve cried with those left behind—the parents, the siblings, the spouses, and their kids. I believe with all my heart that if we can’t have good cops on the street, all we’ll have is mob rule. I also believe that too many are too quick to condemn the actions of law enforcement that have to make split-second decisions in life and death situations.
But that is not what happened in this case.
I also believe it is cowardly to not speak a plain truth when it is right in front of our face: the actions of these officers were evil, dark, disgusting, and just wrong on so many levels.
There are evil doctors, lawyers, politicians, accountants, police officers, and every other profession. What makes it so terrifying when a police officer acts with malice and evil is that we trust them with the sole authority to use force to stop bad guys. When they turn that on people who have done nothing wrong, it undermines the most basic building blocks of our society. And I understand why many lose faith in the system.
But when it came time to hold these individuals accountable, our system of justice worked. It looks like the officers who committed these acts will spend pretty much the rest of their lives in prison. That is just. We’ll have to figure out where else we go from here. I want to thank the investigators who built the case against them to pierce the lies about what happened that night and get to the truth.
I don’t have all the answers to the problem of evil. None of us, fallen human beings, do. I just wanted to come out and plainly say how heartbreaking, disgusting, and evil these actions were. And to commit in prayer and deed to do my part to make our state more safe.
That means backing good police officers who are trying to do their job, and speaking clearly when bad officers violate the innocent.
Kingfish note: Governor Reeves issued a statement to JJ and WLBT after the bills of information were filed. The statement posted above was issued to the public and media.
41 comments:
Well stated, Governor. This isn’t the 1960s anymore where these officers would have never been held accountable; the system worked and got these animals off of streets permanently. Kudos to the MBI investigators who first knew something wasn’t right.
It's never too late to start turnin the state around.
I appreciate it Tater, mighty big of you to speak the truth!
Bryan Bailey is a real puss, that couldn’t get ANYthing done without a gun to rely on or intimidate with. He’ll get what’s coming to him, one way or another, if I’m fact he knew what happened and allows his employees to behave like these freaks.
Is Tater trying to imply that Bryan Bailey is “one of the good” police? Because Bailey was either incompetent at best, or an accomplice at worst, to the Goon Squad’s numerous civil rights and human rights violations of their prey in the Metro.
There needs to be a larger investigation and disclosure including about the civil asset forfeiture scheme and the release of and compensation of the individuals who had their lives ruined by planted evidence.
These platitudes are simply not enough!
And the citizens of Rankin County shouldn’t have to pay for this!
Bryan Bailey and the Goon Squad should personally pay back the abused individuals for the rest of their lives!
One of the major problems was the guy in charge of the Goon Squad relied on his faith and didn't bother to investigate the facts. Perhaps it is unwise to rely on bronze-age mythological fairy tales when you are an elected official in 2023 with the power to destroy lives?
It’s evident that someone high up got involved at the beginning of the arrests and made it quite clear that these former officers had to plead guilty. If they had not, I’m quite sure, not 100% sure and maybe possibly a little sure that Antifa and BLm would have been here and burned up what remains of Jackson because they would not even dare show up in Rankin. But on the other hand, burning Jackson down would have improved some areas for sure. Thank you for allowing me to throw in my 2 cents.
No matter what those officers did. God still loves them and God wants to save them and make them a child of God. As a person who has done many bad things in my life and was pulled up out of the miry clay and made new in Jesus again! It is the saved the children of Gods duty to reach out to these guys and share the truth with them. It is not our job to bash them or call them names. Bible says all sin is equal. Our sins on earth carry different punishments which in turn makes people think they did worse. But the bottom line is God is the ultimate judge and it’s our duties to bring them the gospel and help them transform into believers of Christ!
Matthew 28:19-20
Remember when Kenuff Stokes talking about da shuriff saying "He a dumb basturd"?
Is it possible Kenny was right for the first time in his life and people are hurting because they agree with him?
Yet the government is not going to do anything to solve the problem, like getting rid of qualified immunity, or actually believe us (private citizens) when we say the police are lying.
The system of justice did not work. The sheriff believed the story his officers told him. It took the MBI to uncover that they were lying.
2:50 - Are you aware that the MBI works for the Governor?
Save it Tater. Presley is comin for that azz
@1:03, if what you say about Bailey and his goons needing to pay the families of these two people then how do you feel about rolling back the calendar when Torrence was sheriff and he did worse things? Just ask any of the older people that remember and if you can get them to talk. The Biddle cage was named after Deputy T.O. Biddle. It’s the accessory that separates the front seat of a police car from the back seat. It was named after Deputy Biddle because he was overpowered by a criminal that he was transporting and Torrence wanted Biddle out of the picture because he had too much info on him. Quite convenient. Deputy Biddle was a friend of a family member and was in fear of his life. I could say more but I think you can get the picture.
2:18, you obviously need to lay off your Bud Light.
Such statements should be made by the governor loud and clear and very specifically to Rankin County and it's LEO's. Obviously the "Good Squad" had reason to believe they could brutalize and lie without being held accountable. All officers must be plainly convinced by their superiors like the governor, the DA's, the A.G., the FBI, and the Feds that this behavior will not be tolerated and they will face harsh justice for this stuff. Plain and clear.
Well, Tate is a politician, so I’m not (nor can I) comment on whether he was sincere while making this statement. However, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Tate is certainly a broken clock, and this is the rare occasion where I can say that I agree with something that he has said.
Very well said Governor!
Now you need to call for Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey’s resignation.
He was either complicit, or he’s incompetent, and either is a good enough reason that he must go!
Tater simply depriving the Dems of a talking point they could use against him in the campaign. His silence in the face of this outrageous bigoted brutality won't be used against him effectively now. Politics 101.
If any of you keyboard commandos can prove Bryan Bailey's guilt in all of this get after it.
In other words, give him the same deal you would want given to you. Innocent until proven guilty.
The sheriff had to be aware of the goon squad. I don't think he thought they would go to that extreme. He didn't reign them in before they went too far. That makes him complicit.
@ 4:56 - You will see Tate call for the sheriff's resignation about the same time he calls for that of the mayor of Jackson.
Any LEADER would do both. Now.
2:18. so by that logic, someone who molests a child is equal to someone who speeds? both broke the law..
Tater's comments are compliments of ChatGPT.
@5:33 PM
Nobody is trying him in a court of law. We merely state that he should step admit his failure and resign.
He is clearly unqualified for the job since he allowed these Goons to terrorize Rankin county for a decade.
His excuse that, “they lied to me” simply doesn’t cut it for such a heinous accusation of racist violence!
Tate just trying to distance himself, given he IS Rankin county.
Well said governor.
A reporter for WJTV in their text version of the story referred to the "Goon Squad" as the "good squad" and published that garbage on their website. What a screw up.
5:33pm/8:13, I’m not a “keyboard commando” or unlike you, employed by RCSD. Please confirm or deny Lil Sheriff Bailey visited the crime scene after the horrific events occurred that night for the record. Is it unusual to have all of the LEOs/ Goon Squad’s body cameras off given the circumstances of the events of that night. Let’s just start there, dumbass.
The entire Rankin Police dept needs a federal investigation. P pop stating that there are bad apples in other professions doesn’t justify this brutality. Other professions are not allowed to carry weapons and have power over the people. This was going on for decades and other cops knew it and didn’t report it. They are just as guilty. The sheriff should resign. He should not be allowed to continue his position when he cannot be trusted by the people he is sworn to protect. Serve and protect seems to be totally forgotten in this day and age. I got laughed at by cops for stating that cops need more training. These same cops got offended over my opinion yet here we are, again, with this horrible corruption. The governor needs to be outspoken and show a strong stance against this, not pandering that there are bad people in all professions. The difference, governor, is that this profession should be held to a higher standards since they can take peoples lives. The cops, and the officers of all the jails needs investigating as well when a person in power commits a crime against a citizen they are sworn to protect, it is the most vile of crimes. Criminals with badges. The blue backs the blue. They are not sworn to back the blue, but to protect and serve the citizens. They need to be reminded of that.
They sure did plead guilty quick
@ 10:31. Very well said!!! And take that drunk bully Wes Shivers with you Bailey.
10:31 plus 1.
- A Rankin Resident who is fed up
I got laughed at by cops for stating that cops need more training.
What is your professional experience that provides you the expertise? Be specific.
The entire Rankin Police dept needs a federal investigation.
Never mind. I think I already know.
9:16 PM, TV news doesn't require any sort of competency.
Has Brandon Presley demanded Bailey's resignation? Why not?
This is just one case imagine all of the people who are already locked up because of the corruption of these 6 men and this didn't just start in the last couple of years they have been at it for awhile, and a couple of them are also implicated in other crimes where the the person was either injured or died. It's not all racist because there are white people suffering at the hands of these same six. They need to reopen some of those cases. I know of a female who called RCSO herself and when they got to her home she was the one put in the back of the Police car and died because of the extreme heat and she was left in the backseat of the car with no air for hours while they were taking statements. Her mother was there begging for them to let a window down so she could at least get some air but he would not even listen.
I know that many who back the blue might fear that speaking this truth unfairly paints all officers with a broad brush. I’m scared as hell about the way LEOs are treated in this country.
God knows I’ve spoken at far more funerals of those killed in the line of duty than I could have ever imagined.
I also believe that too many are too quick to condemn the actions of law enforcement that have to make split-second decisions in life-and-death situations.
There are evil doctors, lawyers, politicians, accountants, police officers, and every other profession.
That means backing good police officers who are trying to do their job
Typical Reeves with his whataboutism talking points and his blind loyalty to law enforcement
He's an enabler of the behavior displayed by the goon squad in Rankin County. His talking points are as hollow as the pot the holes in Jackson
This is too little too late and the citizens of Rankin County are going to be on the paying end of a massive lawsuit and will probably reward both enablers, Tate Reeves and Bryan Bailey, with another term in office
Either you can vote your mistakes out of office, or repeat the mistake by keeping them in.
If you want to change the narrative, vote for new leadership
Where's Brandon Presley?
This is beyond horrible. these men must be psychopaths to do what they did.
I FEEL that thr whole order of law enforcement should be investigated. I had heard about some things years ago that were criminal, but I had no proof and no way to find proof.
Why doesn’t Tate Reeves talk about his close buddy Brian “boss hog“ Bailey?! I know they are close friends, but can we get any condemnation from the governor for this corrupt little man. Boss hog has been scratching his back for years. The governor should immediately call for Brian Bailey‘s resignation, along with Paul “Rosco P Coltrane“ Holly and the rest of the junior goons like Jonathan Sanford. If the governor thinks these are the only six bad cops in Rankin County, he needs his head examined.
Let’s talk about a John Sullivan…not all the Rankin County Sheriff’s/Cops are bad. They turned that rape case over so fast before Rankin could sweep it under the rug again. This is their words; “this is not the first time this has happened and it won’t be the last. We are going to get this sorry son of a bitch”. Not even the AG’s office could do it.
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