Memphis Police Department Hiring – Perhaps Blacks Need Not Apply

uploaded by duo July 11, 2008 at 07:11 pm
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Memphis Police Department Hiring – Perhaps Blacks Need Not Apply by duo

There are 500 police jobs up for grabs on the Memphis Police Department, but according to an Associated Press article released July 9, 2008, perhaps African Americans need not apply. The article reports that some city council members expressed concern that blacks may be barred from the positions because of trivial issues designed to keep them from the hiring pool. So intense is the search for “qualified” applicants that the police department has requested permission from the city council to recruit from outside the city to fill 125 of the police openings this year.

See the AP article at: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jul/07/memphis-police-hiring-questioned/?printer=1/

If the allegations of discriminatory hiring practices are true, then non-black people should contact the Memphis PD right away. The Memphis PD has immediate openings due in part to officers recently fired for restraining, beating, and pepper spraying transgender detainee Duanna Johnson in February 2008. Ms. Johnson’s abuse, caught on tape and broadcast all over the nation in June, caused much criticism against police brutality, particularly from the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender community. Ms. Johnson is pursuing a civil action. In another case, a Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy, Alvin Dortchs, was just placed on administrative leave (paid vacation) after a young motorist’s death. Apparently the lawman’s account of the citizen’s death did not agree with the video on his dash cam and the testimony of an eye witness.

Link to Officer Dortchs v. Video Dash Cam

http://www.badcopnews.com/2008/07/02/lies-shelby-county-tennessee-deputy-sherif-alvin-dortchs-story-of-mans-death-doesnt-add-up-caught-on-video/

There are pages of links regarding Duanna Johnson's abuse on the Internet. The lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender community was particularly offended at the brutality evident on the tape, as well as others who are concerned about justice and human rights. See more about Duanna Johnson's case, the video, and information on other lawsuits alleging police brutality and wrongful death against Memphis law enforcement at this link:

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/memphis-police-taped-beating-transsexual-detainee-1-3-million-lawsuit-filed-mary-neal

According to the AP report, Memphis rates first in the nation for property crime and second for violent crime. Police recruits chosen for the 125 positions to be filled this year are likely to face many challenges upholding law and order, perhaps not all coming from outside the department.

Mary Neal

Assistance to the Incarcerated Mentally Ill

Website: http://wrongfuldeathoflarryneal.com