Jackson Police Officer Robert Watts filed a notice of intent to sue (PDF) the city Monday. Watts claims Jackson Mayor Frank Melton arranged to have him transferred to a different beat for speaking to FBI agents in the weeks leading up to the mayor’s federal indictment. A federal grand jury indicted Melton in July for his role in the destruction of a home on Ridgeway Street. His bodyguard, Marcus Wright, pled guilty for his role in the incident, and is currently working with authorities.
The FBI interviewed Watts, but so far has not named him a witness in the trial, although one federal motion (PDF) refers to Melton attempting to influence a police officer not to testify. He is seeking more than $250,000 for “mental anguish,” as well as punitive damages for the alleged retaliation.
Watts claims he was conducting traffic on July 11, 2008, when Melton got out of his car and approached him, saying, “I heard you have been running your damn mouth, but that is OK. I got you later, and you’ll learn that.”
One week after Melton’s threat, then-Lt. Zachary Donaldson told Watts he was being transferred to Precinct 2 for patrol work, during the nightshift, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Carson said in the notice of intent to sue that Watts and other officers regard night shift at Precinct 2’s West Jackson patrol as a kind of Siberia for “outspoken officers, or those who have somehow exercised their rights are sent by the city to be ‘punished.’”
McMillin stamped Watts’ transfer order around Aug. 5. Deputy Chief Ronald Sampson allegedly told Watts that Precinct 2 was “short-handed” and needed an additional officer. The notice points out, however, that two other officers were transferred out of Precinct 2 patrol to Downtown patrol for special projects, around the same time as Watts’ removal. Watts later reported that Sampson changed his mind over the reason behind the transfer, claiming Sampson “told others a different story,” that Watts was transferred because of complaints against him, “not because Precinct 2 was short-handed.”
McMillin did not immediately return calls to the Jackson Free Press, but told The Clarion-Ledger that he was the one behind Watts’ transfer, not Melton. He said his main reason was Watts’ job performance.
“When I took this job a year ago, Mayor Melton agreed he would not interfere with the operations of the department. So far, Mayor Melton has not asked me to do anything as far as where to assign or promote my personnel,” he told that paper.
Carson told the Jackson Free Press that he did not believe McMillin had a personal motive behind the transfer.
“Based on the info I have, I don’t think McMillin has any culpability. He’s a man with veracity for truth, but I question that the information he was provided was truthful,” Carson said, pointing out that the notice implicates Sampson and Donaldson.
Previous Comments
Come on now. So what if the mayor did say that? It’s just Frank running off at the mouth! He can’t help it. He has to talk a little noise to let people know he’s running things around here and don’t anyone forget it. What’s the point in being the man if you can’t act like the man every now and again?
#140902 | Author: Walt | Date: Nov 20 2008
The man, “Melton” has no right to harass people for speaking to the FBI! If he would have followed the law then there would be nothing to tell the FBI. Melton always have a habit of trying to intimindate people that stand up to him. Hey Watts let me let your attorney know that I will tesify on your behalf against Melton and the City of Jackson and I can prove my statements!!!
#140912 | Author: Hot Sauce | Date: Nov 20 2008
The part that disturbs me is that McMillian backs Melton up in this crap. He recently stated he was the one that reassigned the officer. Melton has done this since his first day in office, remember the destruction of the Community Improvement Division? That was vengence at Melton’s hand. But I personally know this officer and he does his job, very well, unlike our mayor. I hope justice is served.
#140920 | Author: classy | Date: Nov 21 2008
Recent Immigration Stories
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.