Cops Demoted for Lax Drug Stop

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Saturday, June 13th just before 4:00am, Memphis Police pulled over Memphis City Councilwoman Wanda Halbert's son, 24 year old Kelvin Burrus at 919 South Highland.

According to police, Burrus was given a misdemeanor marijuana possession citation but he was not arrested or booked at the county jail. But according to an internal investigation while police detained Burrus they also called his mother, Councilwoman Halbert.

Shortly after the incident last month, Halbert spoke to FOX13 News about the possibility of preferential treatment.

Halbert said, "When I received a telephone call from police in the wee hours of the morning I was asked to come see the situation. So whatever is being alleged is absolutely not true."

Through that investigation it was determined that Halbert was only acting as a concerned parent and did nothing wrong. The case was then reviewed to determine if any administrative charges should be filed against the officers for violating departmental procedure.

Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin says, "After a lengthy three, four hour hearing this morning he sustained both charges against the major and against the Lieutenant Colonel."

During that administrative hearing Wednesday the two officers who called Halbert were both demoted and suspended for 20 days.

Director Godwin says, "I'm disappointed in the fact that we have supervisors that have put themselves in a position to be brought up on a statement of charges."

According to Director Godwin, Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Jamison and Major Roderic Cunningham were found to be in violation of personal conduct and neglect of duty. Major Cunningham was demoted to Lieutenant and Lieutenant Colonel Jamison demoted to Major.

In the meantime, Halbert has made an open record request to find out how many parents have been called by MPD on behalf of individuals 18 and older involved in police incidences over the last 10 years.