An internal investigation of the state Department of Public Safety is seeking to determine if troopers cheated on promotions tests - and who, if anybody, helped.

Promotions tests were given for the positions of master sergeant, lieutenant and captain earlier this month. Internal Affairs officials have begun to administer polygraphs to some of those who took the tests, according to troopers.

Gov. Haley Barbour said Monday the allegations arose late last week. "The results of all the exams have been thrown out, and anyone involved in any improprieties will be severely punished," he said.

He could not say how many troopers might be involved. "I would simply be guessing," he said.

It's bad news for a department already reeling from bad news.

On Friday, James Smith, a 17-year Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol employee, was convicted of fixing tickets and falsifying commercial driver's license records. Another former employee, Joseph Rigsby, faces trial this week on similar charges.

In November, Bill Maxey resigned as director of fleet for the patrol after coming under scrutiny for reportedly using his state car for personal travel.

The Clarion-Ledger reported that records showed Maxey used his state-owned SUV to make out-of-state, weekend trips to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Maxey, who has sold tailor-made suits, had no law enforcement background before taking the $66,000-a-year job.

The promotions tests investigation is continuing, and DPS spokesman Jon Kalahar said further details will be released later.

"We will make the full results of that investigation known as soon as it's completed," he said.

One area Internal Affairs is scrutinizing is whether copies were leaked when officials emailed the tests to the command staff for review. Several troopers said it was common knowledge the tests were emailed.

Jackson lawyer Shane Langston, whose law firm handles employment law cases, said emailing promotions tests blows his mind. "That's like emailing the ACT test exam to public school teachers, and saying to them, 'Now don't show it to your students.'"
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