Jericho cop now claiming civil rights violation?

Our View

Jericho cop now claiming civil rights violation?

The disgruntled “police chief” in the tiny incorporated area of Crittenden County called Jericho, population of about 144, who recently went whining to a Memphis television station that a state trooper issued a warning citation to one of his so-called cops now says he’s filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, claiming the traffic stop was a civil rights violation.

So then, the way this is going we have a black “cop” using the excuse that a white state trooper violated his civil rights. That’s right Roy Hill, is throwing out the race card in the pile of mediocre complaints.

You see, Hill is the so-called police chief of this hamlet that runs along U.S. Highway 77, a ideal “fishing hole” for a speed trap. Well, earlier this month Hill filed a complaint with the Arkansas State Police saying that Cpl. Mickey Strayhorn had stopped one of his subordinates and cited him for speeding and failure to wear a seat belt.

Hill said the warning ticket Strayhorn issue was in retaliation for a speeding ticket a Jericho cop issued to Strayhorn’s son. Strayhorn stated on the warning ticket that the Jericho cop was driving more than 15 milesper- hour over the posted 45-per-hour, plus the fact he wasn’t wearing a seat belt in an old and probably worn out police car.

According to Hill, two weeks earlier Strayhorn’s son was stopped in Jericho for speeding. It was the second time since Feb. 29 that Jericho cops had ticketed Strayhorn’s son for supposedly exceeding the speed limit.

As we pointed out in an earlier “Our View”, the questions that need answering in regard to Strayhorn’s son being cited for speeding are, what type of “certified” radar equipment does Jericho have, and are the people that use the device “state qualified”? Otherwise, how and the heck can any so-called cop pitiful excuse for an incorporated town accurately determine just how fast Strayhorn’s son was going?

With Hill pulling out the “race card” here, we’d like to know if all the unsuspecting white victims of questionable speeding tickets issue in this predominately black area claim discrimination. Or, as a matter of fact, can Strayhorn’s son claim his so-called civil rights were violated also?

This is the biggest farce we have heard in a long time and something the liberal media just loves to pick up on.

As we have previously pointed out, it is commonplace in many of these small incorporated areas throughout the state, to set up speed traps along a main state highway. Again, let us mention Earle and Parkin as fine examples of this unscrupulous behavior.

The point also needs to be made that the Arkansas State Police is a highly respected law enforcement agency and the qualified, certified and highly trained troopers who proudly wear the state badge are highly respected.

And, that goes for Trooper Strayhorn, who became a state police trooper in 1992. He is assigned to Troop D in Forest City and his patrol area includes neighboring Crittenden County. Jericho, which is between Marion and Clarkedale runs along Arkansas 77 and is in Strayhorn’s assigned area.

We pointed out the other day in our opinion in this regard for Strayhorn’s supporters to contact his superiors and let them know just how well respected he is in Crittenden County.

Trooper Strayhorn certainly has our respect and support. And, for all the shenanigans going on in Jericho, we would hope the it has exposed a situation that is a total embarrassment to all of law enforcement.

BIBLE VERSE

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

71:8-10

Psalm