NAACP Wants More Changes in Rules Concerning Troopers

NAACP President Derrick Johnson during Monday's press conference

The NAACP has filed another federal discrimination complaint against the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

The NAACP filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of the state’s 200 black troopers earlier this year. The EEOC said it found evidence of discrimination in DPS hiring and promotion policies. But at a Monday press conference, NAACP president Derrick Johnson said DPS officials are now retaliating against the black troopers by filling vacant positions without proper notification, conducting unsubstantiated investigations and making arbitrary transfers.

"For example if a trooper is stationed out of Batesville or for that matter out of Oxford or on the coast they may get reassigned to serve in Jackson. Which puts a very huge burden and a hardship because they would have to drive two hours away just to serve as opposed to like other troopers in the area, be able to serve within the surrounding counties which they reside,"

The complaint names DPS Col. Michael Berthay and Commissioner Stephen Simpson. In a written statement Monday Commissioner Simpson responded.

Simpson: "The Mississippi Department of Public Safety continues to be asked to defend itself against discrimination charges from the Mississippi NAACP. To this point, no one has come forward to say they were discriminated against or revealed to this agency who is doing this alleged discriminating."

DPS recently announced a new promotion system using the state personnel Board and troopers from neighboring states to decide promotions instead of relying on Mississippi troopers to grade their own colleagues. But according to the NAACP that system still shows potential for discrimination. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.