FRANK MELTON NEEDS TO LEARN THE LAW

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 had already brought his storm troopers into Jackson schools in
an effort to scare students away from drugs, caused another stir last 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.