In the latest development of an ongoing and contentious feud between Memphis City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert and Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, Halbert issued a statement today blasting the "bully-pulpit tactics" of city employees and pledging to stand firm against "manipulation of public perception as a method to hide injustices."
The feud appears to stem from a June disturbance involving Halbert's 24-year-old son, Kelvin Burrus, who was stopped by police and later issued a misdemeanor citation for marijuana possession. Although he allegedly quarreled, Burrus was not arrested or charged with resisting arrest.
Halbert, who is also a candidate in the Memphis mayor's race, had shown up to the scene that night and Godwin later ordered an investigation to determine if Halbert influenced the investigation and whether his officers acted properly.
In the end, the officers involved were both demoted one rank and suspended for 20 days.
Although police found Halbert had not influenced the investigation, the ordeal incensed Halbert, who called it "retaliation" for her criticism of the police department.
Earlier this week, Commercial Appeal reporter Marc Perrusquia mentioned the incident in a Sunday article about open records, in which he wrote: "As it turned out, the data showed most suspects were treated in the exact manner as Halbert's son -- they were given a citation, not jail. She didn't get any special treatment."
The article appeared to open old wounds because on Tuesday, Halbert fired off an angry letter to Godwin, criticizing the handling of the investigation and calling Godwin's decisions the kind of "behavior that creates a sense of perceived racism, fear, and/or retaliation by many citizens of those who are hired to protect and serve."
"If an elected representative and his/her family experiences this kind of rogue behavior, God forbid what may be happening to the everyday citizen of Memphis?" she wrote.
Godwin responded with a four-page, equally angry letter.
"Frankly, your attempt to influence in this community with false accusations against the Memphis Police department is both appalling and irresponsible," he fired back.
He responded to each of her attacks point by point and concluded by saying he has spent the last five years as police director bringing a culture of integrity, accountability and leadership to MPD.
"I refuse to sit back any longer and allow you to destroy the hard work of Memphis Finest because you have this notion that someone is after you and your family. Your accusations and attacks come without the facts to the support them and it is an embarrassment to this city."
Neither Halbert nor Godwin were immediately available for comment.
What do you think, did Godwin overreact by launching an investigation into the handling of Burrus' citation?
Tough I'm not a fan of the Police Commissioner his investigation was warranted. Had he not had an investigation into this incident many private citizens would have cried foul, believing that the young man received special treatment because of his mother. Goodwin protected both the Council woman and the Police department. Of course expecting Halbert to recognize this is too much to ask, after all she IS a Memphis politician.
WELL THIS ONE IS EASY. Wanda has a mama's boy on her hands and she should be worried about him doing his drugs and getting into trouble NOT fighting with the police dept. In fact she needs to shut up and do her job she is paid to do. Memphis police have enough crime and thugs on their hands without worring about her ignorant self. Wanda, cut those apron strings and better yet check to see if the doctor actually cut the cord.
I think the investigation into Halberts influence of officers was a waiste of tax payers dollars. Being that their is tension between the two, it should come under suspicion any investigation ordered in that manner by the Police Director. And let me go on the record to say I support Larry Godwin as a citizen in Memphis. He, in my opinion is doing a yeomans job.
Councilman Wanda Halbert made a classic mistake some time ago of voting to reinstate MPD chief Godwin.During the council meeting to vote for reinstatement,she also voted to reinstate the City Engineer Wain Gaskins as well.Gaskins has no concern
for human life,and six council men tried to fire him.
Both of these gentelmen should have been rejected.Gaskins recieved six rejection votes with Wanda Halbert,and Harold Collins and Myron Lowery voting to save his job.MPD Chief
Godwin recieved all votes on the council for approval.
So she brought this problem on herself,by not listening to the rank and file of the police department.Why accept a problem if you know one exist.Ms.Halbert was asked on a
local talkshow would she vote to reinstate Larry Godwin.
She couldn't answer the question,because of the mistake
she made the last time.
This questions her leadership,and her current motives for
her request for an investagation of Godwin.
Where are the two letters? I would like to read each one and take in this entire pitiful spectacle. Especially I wonder if Halbert has some specific beef, or whether she is just whinging on about her perceptions, feelings and opinions.
I always thought it smelled bad, though, Godwin says one day that everything about that marijuana bust was by the book and properly handled, and the next day the two cops are demoted.
Personally I think if you are a relative of a Memphis politician and you get caught doing anything you should go to jail *two* times and have to pick up trash on the interstate as well. The more odious these people get, the more important they think they are.
"She doen't mention him on her city council profile. He doesn't have the same last name. How would the officers know he was her son?"
That is easy to answer - because her son told the officers who his momma was - as in "don't you know who my momma is?!!!" - and one of the officers on the scene called his supervisor to the scene because of possible political ramifications.
All anyone has to do is to listen to Wanda at the actual city council meetings. She is obnoxious, unprepared, throws bombs that are intended for publicity but have no chance of being supported by the majority of the council (thank you, Harold Collins) and is generally disruptive and frequently has to apologize for getting an agenda or a fact wrong.
These meetings are webcast. And you can find them on the Memphis City Council website.
I am more and more impressed with Harold Collins, the current Chair.
He is reasonable, runs a good meeting, and cuts off people like Wanda Halbert who often make no sense.
I love that she refers to "ordinary average citizens" like she's not one. Get over yourself! You are a SECRETARY!!!!
Halbert's grudge against the police department in general and Dir. Godwin in specific is common knowledge because she CAN NOT SHUT UP ABOUT HOW SHE FEELS.
Note: Wanda, we don't care how you feel about your son's criminal arrests or his criminal pals' inability to get hired by the MPD. We do not want thugs carrying guns AND BADGES.
This is a situation where the actual letters should be published so the public and voters can decide for themselves what they think, especially so because this article is vague and poorly written. It seems more like an opinion piece with innuendo rather than facts.
I turn my back to multitask for an hour and some funny "red" & "blue" comments were disappeared off this post. I should have copied them elsewhere. I didn't know you went in for that sort of thing, Alex.... If this "meta"-comment gets nuked, I'll have to turn reporter again.
Larry has all day to write letters. I wonder if Halbert is writing her letters on FedEx time. Who is the lucky dog that gets to supervise her, assuming she is allowed to be supervised!!!!!
"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
I heard Wanda speak at the Kiwanis a couple of years ago. She read from a prepared text. It was gibberish. It made no sense.
Wanda has, at best, a tenuous relationship with consensus reality.
I've also heard Godwin speak, and if he's doing what he says -- rooting out corruption in the MPD -- he's a better man that I thought. Not saying one way or another.
Just that Godwin made sense, and Wanda did NOT. She makes less sense than Prince Mongo, and he's TRYING to sound like a lunatic. Wanda doesn't have to try.
Who knew Willie JUST POSSIBLY appointed someone decent in Larry Godwin?
I read the letters earlier today by clicking on the link in a story on one of the news stations' sites.. either WREG or Eyewitness News.. try there.