“What he did was wrong,” Mayor Flaggs on Vicksburg officer in viral video

In an exclusive interview with Vicksburg Daily News, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. discussed the decision made by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in response to a viral video that showed a Vicksburg police officer using excessive force during an arrest over the Christmas holiday.  The Mayor called Officer Colbert’s behavior “indefensible” but said he stands by the board’s decision and feels that the consequences are appropriate.

In a special-called meeting on Tuesday, the board ordered Officer Eddie Colbert to a 15-day suspension without pay followed by 45 days of probation.  Colbert will also be required to complete an anger management course before returning to duty.

The decision was unpopular with many of the citizens of Vicksburg, with several people saying that the officer should be terminated.

“You can’t look at a snapshot from a smartphone and make determinations,” Flaggs said.  “That’s not permissible in court and it shouldn’t be permissible when you are disciplining people.”

Mayor Flaggs said that the board looked at all the available evidence, including surveillance footage obtained from the city’s cameras in the area, in order to make the final determination.  Flaggs also said that footage would be made available.

“It shouldn’t have happened, and it shouldn’t be tolerated in Vicksburg, Mississippi,” Flaggs said.  “But I do think the punishment to this officer is a punishment that represents exactly what he did wrong.”

When asked about how the incident has impacted the credibility of the department, the Mayor said he hopes that it will have a positive impact on the force and that he personally spoke with the department Wednesday morning and expressed his expectations for officers to conduct their duties with honor and integrity.