POLICE CORRUPTION

Rigorous Investigation Warranted

A series of disturbing allegations in the Jackson Police Department
culminated Wednesday with the indictment of a police detective on charges
of accepting bribes.

A federal grand jury accused narcotics Detective Alvaline Baggett, a
15-year veteran, of bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion from drug
dealers.

It is the most serious charge arising from allegations of police corruption
that surfaced last spring.

Both police brass and city officials were puzzled last May when the
Linder/Maple consulting group reported a serious perception of police
corruption by the department's rank-and-file.

Some 76 percent of officers surveyed said they believed up to 25 percent of
the force was taking money from drug dealers.

Acting on that perception, the department expanded its Internal Affairs
Division and enlisted the aid of the FBI, leading to Wednesday's indictment.

The department has seen other troubles within the past year, including
allegations of drug payoffs to a former officer who was handed a federal
prison sentence for selling drugs.

Another officer was allegedly involved in the attempt to extort money from
a cable TV provider in the federal corruption probe of the Jackson City
Council.

The allegations of police corruption are serious, and the indictment
Wednesday shows city and federal prosecutors are taking the claims seriously.

The indictment and continuing investigation of corruption allegations
should not be seen as damaging to the department, however, but as positive
developments in rooting out wrongdoing.

When corruption allegations surfaced, the city didn't try to sweep them
under the rug. It acted quickly and commendably. Vigorous investigation and
prosecution is warranted.

A thorough housecleaning benefits police and the community.