1. Allegations of racial slurs, discrimination within MHP - WLBT.com - Jac... http://www.wlbt.com/story/9989659/allegations-of-racial-slurs-discrimin...
Jackson 03/11/09
Allegations of racial slurs, discrimination within MHP
Posted: Mar 11, 2009 5:54 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 13, 2009 10:09 AM EDT
By Jon Kalahar
jkalahar@wlbt.net
Allegations against the Mississippi Highway Patrol claim discrimination and racial slurs used against
African American troopers by co-workers and supervisors.
But the outcome of separate investigations could determine if MHP will face a lawsuit in federal
court.
"One racial slur that we've been able to document is credited to one of the supervisors saying that
he wished the trooper would go back the way he used to be," said Derrick Johnson, Mississippi
NAACP president.
That's one of what Mississippi NAACP President Derrick Johnson says are numerous complaints
they've received over the last three years. He filed the complaint with the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission last month on behalf of the 200 African American state troopers.
"That is done primarily to protect the identity of the individuals so retaliation can not be taken," said
Johnson.
On top of slurs, allegations include discrimination such as violating promotion policies and not
properly advertising openings to limit the number of African Americans who apply. Public safety
commissioner Steve Simpson admits an improper job notification, but he says he changed it
immediately.
"We canceled the testing and promotional board for that position, rescheduled it some weeks later
and sent out the notice properly to every state trooper," said Simpson.
Simpson also created a panel comprised of two former supreme court judges to conduct an
independent investigation. But according to Simpson, to this point, no one has come forward to
substantiate the claims of discrimination. In fact, the opposite has happened.
"I've had numerous members of the highway patrol, African American members come to be
proactively and make sure I understand they were not a part of this complaint," said Simpson.
The EEOC investigation findings will determine if the NAACP can file a lawsuit against the
g g
Mississippi Highway Patrol in federal court.
The department of public safety will respond formally to the allegations later this month for
the EEOC investigation.
No word when the results of that investigation will be released.
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