More Allegations Of Trooper Discrimination

Mississippi's NAACP says senior officials within Highway Patrol are punishing black state troopers for filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The U.S. Department of Justice is looking into Mississippi's Highway Patrol. State NAACP President Derrick Johnson says the findings could prompt a lawsuit against the state.

"It's unfortunate under this current administration that African American officers have to go into such a hostile and negative environment just to protect and serve the citizens of this state," he said.

In a new complaint filed with the EEOC, the NAACP claims black troopers were disciplined, transferred or fired after accusing senior leaders of racism.

Earlier this year, the NAACP filed a complaint claiming black troopers were subjected to discriminatory practices and racial slurs. The EEOC ruled it had found evidence of discrimination, and those findings were sent to the U.S. Justice Department.

In their recent complaint, the NAACP says Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Simpson and Colonel Michael Berthay are responsible for retaliating against troopers.

In response to the complaint, Commissioner Simpson tells us not one trooper has filed a discrimination complaint with the department.

"To this point, no one has come forward to say they were discriminated against or revealed to this agency who is doing this alleged discriminating," he said in a released statement. "As with the original complaint, DPS looks forward to receiving any specific allegations so we can properly respond, if necessary."

State Sen. Kenneth Wayne Jones, who is vice-president of the Legislative Black Caucus, says lawmakers will not tolerate discrimination within any state department

"From listening to the troopers and listening to a large number of them, they don't want to go forward to talk because they feel like they're wasting their breath," he said.

Jones says the troopers are not pleased with the Department of Public Safety's attempts to fix the situation by creating new promotion guidelines. He says the black caucus will do more to investigate.

"We're patient, and we are faithful that justice will prevail," said Valerie Hicks-Powe, an attorney for the troopers who filed the complaint.

It's unclear when the U.S. Justice Department will release their findings.