Lawyer: Sheriff’s Department looking at racism, sexism claims

The Clarion-Ledger, 2/12/8

The attorney for two female Jackson police officers accusing former Jackson Deputy Police Chief Ron Sampson of racism and sexism says the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department has opened an independent investigation into the matter.

Eduardo Flechas said Monday his clients, Officer Wanda Camel and Sgt. Amy Barlow, have been asked by the Sheriff’s Department to submit to polygraph tests, and they are doing so.

“What brought that about I don’t know,” Flechas said.

Sampson was demoted from deputy chief to commander in the assistant chief’s office after an internal investigation by JPD. He allegedly asked Camel for sex and uttered racist comments over the phone that were overheard by Barlow.