Pubdate: Sat, 21 Dec 2002
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2002 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Frank Melton
Note: Frank Melton is director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. He 
is former CEO of WLBT-TV 3.

GET READY FOR NEW MBN TO FIGHT BAD GUYS

Just to set the record straight: I deeply appreciate people's recognition 
of the success of my broadcast career here in Mississippi. It was a very 
successful run.

However, it needs to be known that I have never had a broadcast or business 
course in my life.

As stated before, much - if not all - of my success has come from the 
people who surrounded me. They are the real heroes and the real success 
stories.

As the public continues to debate the law enforcement issue, it needs to be 
known that most of the people who have headed the FBI in Washington were 
not from law enforcement.

Mississippi has some of the best law enforcement people in the country - 
from the local police officers in the community, the many deputy sheriffs, 
state agents and federal agents. As a team, they are among the best anywhere.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics has great law enforcement people. What 
they need is leadership - someone who has the courage to finally go after 
the people at the top regardless of their so-called standing in life. It 
will be made clear soon why the governor has made this decision.

Also for the record, it is no secret that for the past 15 years I have been 
on the front line, often alone, fighting drugs and juvenile gangs. It is 
also no secret that during that time I have taken my share of bad guys to 
police headquarters.

To cut to the chase, I encourage people to call any of our field agents at 
MBN and get their view on my leadership. While it has only been a few days, 
the tone is being established for the new MBN and it is exciting.

My pledge is simple: I will do what is right without regard to politics, 
race or any other influences. My relationship with the Legislature will be 
open, honest and respectfully candid. We cannot succeed without lawmakers' 
leadership and support.

While I have great friends in both political parties, the truth is that I 
am neither Democrat or Republican. I am an independent, who will serve all 
of the people.

The public needs to know that the new MBN has the full support of the 
governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the U.S. attorney, 
the FBI, the DEA, the ATF, the U.S. Marshals, the Mississippi Highway 
Patrol, the local police and sheriffs and the world-renowned Mississippi 
National Guard.

This team represents the new MBN and we will be seeing the bad guys soon.

The public needs to understand that with this team there will be no way out 
for drug violators in Mississippi.

This effort is not about Frank Melton. This effort is about securing the 
future of this state and, more important, the future and safety of our 
children.

On a personal note, I know that I will always have critics and they are 
important to me because they have helped me to grow as a person over the years.

The truth is that for the first time in a long time I am happy, resolved, 
challenged, and I feel a great deal of significance as a human being. I now 
have the resources to help people restore their dignity, bring their 
families back together and recapture their neighborhoods.

I represent hope, something that this country desperately needs. With your 
support and help, I promise that tomorrow will be much better than today.

That is all that I will have to say about this issue.

* Frank Melton is director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. He is 
former CEO of WLBT-TV 3.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens