Rankin Co. NAACP, attorneys call for the resignation of Sheriff Bryan Bailey

The Rankin County NAACP and attorneys involved in the case regarding the torture and abuse of two Black men called for the removal of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey during a town hall meeting Tuesday evening.

Attorneys Malik Shabazz and Trent Kelly, alongside Rankin County NAACP President Angela English, cited concerns over Bailey's participation in cases involving police brutality and suspected racial discrimination in the Rankin County Sheriff's Office.

"The poisonous culture that exists in that department did not just appear with these five Rankin County Sheriff's deputies," English said. "This culture has existed for decades. Bryan Bailey was a chosen vessel to continue it because he was trained by a goon."

This meeting came after two former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies were sentenced to years behind bars Tuesday in connection to the beating of Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker.

More on the 'Goon Squad': How a ‘Goon Squad’ of deputies got away with years of brutality. Signs ignored for years

Hunter Elward, 31, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Jeffrey Middleton, the leader of the so-called "Goon Squad," was given a 17.5-year prison sentence. Four other former law enforcement officers who pled guilty to torturing Jenkins and Parker are set to be sentenced this week.

Shabazz said Tuesday brought "good news" for the citizen of Rankin County, especially those that "have been in fear of police brutality." But more justice — the removal of Bailey — is due, he said.

"Anytime you are bold enough to just break into somebody's house without a warrant, steal the video cameras, plant the guns, sexual assault them and fire weapons off, then I say this had that happen before," Shabazz said. "I say for something to occur this brazen, this outrageous that means elements of it had been happening before and nobody was doing anything about it."

Kelly added to Shabazz's statements saying, "In this particular case, those in authority at Rankin County would be more than happy to throw these six under the bus and turn around to tell you that they took care of the problem. But the problem is not solved."

"The problem is not solved until you change the culture and the personnel because that department needs to be dismantled and rebuilt from the scraps. It needs to be dismantled. And the first piece that needs to fall is Bryan Bailey," Kelly said.

The NAACP chapter said it is taking signatures for its petition to remove Sheriff Bailey. The chapter said the petition will need to receive signatures from at least 30% of the registered voters in Rankin County.

"Bryan Bailey, as the Sheriff of Rankin County and as a person free from prosecution, your days are numbered," Shabazz said.

The Clarion Ledger reached out to the sheriff's office for comment, but no call was returned.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Leaders ask Rankin Co. sheriff to resign after 'Goon Squad' sentencings