Over the course of several meetings, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen has dealt with a situation where a group of people representing an entertainment business lodged a complaint against a police officer.

According to the information presented at those meetings, the complaint alleges that the officer in question forced the event to shut down early, even though the organizers procured their own security and went through the proper channels to book the venue.

Claims of discrimination and harassment were voiced to the Board concerning this incident in light of the complaint.

At a recent meeting last month, the Board indicated intent to take some sort of action against the officer in question.

Now, we are being told that the city intends to hire a third party investigator to look at the matter at hand to see if action is even necessary.

Additionally, the third party will investigate the matter fully to determine whether wrongdoing was perpetrated by not only the officer, but also the city’s administration and the police chief.

We might wonder what goes on behind closed doors within a local government.

Actions seen in open meetings are one thing. And while some would be reticent to accept the Board at their word that the full facts of the event will be brought to light, we should give the Board the benefit of the doubt at this juncture.

Currently it appears as though the Board is willing to be transparent in this matter.

And for so long as viable answers follow the questions asked, it is our hope that the full facts will be presented and the proper action taken, if necessary.