By Brian Livingston / staff writer
May 09, 2008 12:51 am
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Two veteran patrol officers with the Meridian Police Department have been suspended with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Details are unclear, but the department is looking into allegations of inappropriate behavior in an alleged incident involving the officers and a juvenile inmate at the Lauderdale County Juvenile Detention Facility.
MPD Chief Benny DuBose said late Thursday the alleged incident was reported April 22 when one of the employees at the detention facility notified MPD authorities.
“It has been reported to us one officer acted inappropriately the night before and as we got deeper into the investigation of this we discovered another officer may have also been involved,” said DuBose. “Until we complete this investigation, the two officers are suspended.”
The names of the officers are being withheld pending the outcome of the investigation as well as the exact nature of the allegations.
DuBose added it should be next week when the results of the department's findings will be complete.
Several witnesses, other juveniles who were held at the facility at the time of the alleged incident, have been questioned.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for May 30 in Lauderdale County Circuit Court.
DuBose was obviously concerned with public perception of his department and law enforcement officers as a whole due to the investigation.
“Regardless of how this investigation turns out, I think we will be viewed in a not so flattering light,” said DuBose. “We wear our badges with pride but this will be a blemish we will have to overcome no matter the outcome.”
DuBose said these allegations were particularly disturbing because the officers under scrutiny have several years of experience apiece.
“These aren’t rookies we're talking about,” he said. “I don't condone inappropriate behavior from any officer - one week or 20 years with the force - but from veterans? This really shouldn't happen.”
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