Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jan 2003
Source: Greenwood Commonwealth (MS)
Copyright: 2003 Greenwood Commonwealth
Contact:  http://www.gwcommonwealth.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1541

NARCOTICS BUREAU DIRECTOR DOES SOME MORE SHOWBOATING

Frank Melton, as expected, is bringing a lot of enthusiasm into his new job 
as director of Mississippi's Bureau of Narcotics. Unfortunately, also as 
expected, the former television executive is showboating and running 
dangerously close to violating the law.

Melton, who has already brought his storm troopers into Jackson schools in 
an effort to scare students away from drugs, caused another stir this week 
by setting up a road block near the Capitol as lawmakers were returning to 
session.

Melton said his agency was doing its part for homeland security - 
protecting the legislators from the drug dealers, prostitutes and other 
riff-raff who congregate within walking distance of the state Capitol. 
Since when was that the Narcotics Bureau's job? The Capitol has its own 
security force, not to mention the entire police force of the city of Jackson.

Sounds to us like Melton was more interested in trying to make a favorable 
impression on the lawmakers who must still approve his controversial 
appointment by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

The road blocks did result in five misdemeanor drug arrests. It will be 
interesting, though, to see if they stand up in court, since Melton's crew 
was acting in apparent violation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Two years 
ago, the nation's highest court found that random roadblocks intended for 
drug searches are an unconstitutional invasion of privacy.

Attorney General Mike Moore, whose office has to worry about loose cannons 
in the state's law enforcement ranks, has got a project in reining in 
Melton. Moore said he was additionally concerned about the propriety of 
Melton personally asking motorists to show him their licenses, since Melton 
is not a certified law officer.

"It's going to be a particular challenge on our part to make sure that we 
keep Frank between the lines of the law," Moore said.

We bet it is.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart