'IT IS GOING TO BE DONE MELTON'S WAY'

As usual, The Clarion-Ledger's editorial of Aug. 23 ("Melton's way: Narcotics
chief should be open") is completely off the mark.

First, I have never taken a SWAT team into a school. To suggest otherwise in
inappropriate and irresponsible.

Your own education reporter has participated in our safe school's operation. A
simple walk down your hall at The Ledger would have given you the facts about
safe schools.

For the record, the purpose of safe schools is simply to encourage and serve as
a cheerleader for the 97 percent of Mississippi students who are doing the
right thing.

If you did your homework correctly you could have called any school where the
operation has been conducted and received the facts.

Next, I do not, nor does the Bureau of Narcotics, work for The Clarion-Ledger
and we have no obligation to tell your reporters who has been arrested. On the
other hand, your reporters should know how to access the information. We are
not going to do your job for you.

Most important, when I took this job I stated that there would be no politics,
no race and no influences.

Also for the record, I am not a cowboy. I am an aggressive officer of the law.
That is something that this city desperately needs.

I will not be influenced by your editorials; however, I will always respect
your right to present them to the public.

Reporters need to learn how to do their homework, get the facts straight, and
inform the public. That is what they get paid for. If and when we arrest one of
your children, I am sure that the rules will change.

Call it what you may, but it is going to be done Melton's way and it will be
done with dignity.

I am not going to fence with The Ledger.

I am going to enforce the law without influence.

Frank Melton

Jackson