Video: Community Group Expresses Dissatisfaction with City’s Committee Hearings

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) –A grassroots group formed in the wake of an officer involved shooting this summer in Tupelo has some harsh words for six committees the city has formed to deal with unrest and concerns among the community.

Members of the “Coalition of Concerned and Leaders” said during a news conference this afternoon that they are disappointed with six working groups formed by the city to deal with issues such as hiring and training practices, the possible creation of a police advisory board and the hiring of a community liasion.

Pastor James Hull says CCPL members also want the city to hold at least one town hall meeting to get public input before the committees make their recommendations to the city council.

“We would like for the city to acknowledge that they didn’t play by the rules they set, they simply didn’t do it, the working groups were not constituted the way they said they were going to be constituted and they really haven’t operated they way they said they were going to operate.”

Late Monday afternoon the City of Tupelo released a response to the CCPL’s criticisms:

“The City of Tupelo continues to listen to and receive information through its working groups, three more of which are expected to present their recommendations to the City Council on Oct. 25. The Council will receive and / or act on these recommendations, which then will become a portion of the TUPELO PLAN. The TUPELO PLAN is reviewed each month by the Mayor’s Accountability Task Force to ensure its viability.”