The city of Columbia and the Columbia School District are working to add an additional school resource officer for student safety and education.
Police Chief Michael Kelly said he had been working with school officials to come up with a plan.
“They will provide half the salary of the second SRO and apply for a second grant and give us another $10,000 and provide all the fuel for both of those SROs. We’re providing all the fuel right now for one. The school district wants to partner with the city. I think it would be a worthwhile thing to at least consider,” he told aldermen recently.
Kelly said the Board would need to make a decision soon because of training over the summer.
Ward 4 Alderman Mike Smith said he liked the idea.
“I think that’s going to be an easy decision about protecting our kids,” he said.
City Attorney Lawrence Hahn said he could speak with School District Attorney Drew Foxworth about amending the current contract, and Mayor Justin McKenzie said it would be good to have something for the May 15 meeting.
Kelly said the addition would give them an advantage in the schools.
“We would have two officers, this one and the commander, who is over at the high school, Miss Pearlie (Hendricks),” he said. “We would furnish the second officer with his car, his equipment and his law enforcement training. The school will furnish training to become a D.A.R.E. officer, so he will be an in-classroom instructor for a portion of the day. During the summer, we’ll be able to use him and Miss Pearlie back on patrol. I have visions of doing a police athletic league and lots of juvenile activities over the summer and keeping those officers involved in the lives of the kids.”
Alderman-at-Large Edward Hough asked if the officers would assist with out of town trips for school functions such as football, baseball and others.
“That’s how I got the school to agree to furnish the fuel,” Kelly said. “These officers will be traveling with the clubs and teams out of town. They will represent Columbia in our uniform and our police car. I think it will be good.”
Kelly said the department already has an officer in mind for the spot.
“We have an officer who has put in a letter of intent, who would like to go be that SRO,” Kelly said. “He is with us here. He’s taught English in school systems before so he’s used to interacting with students in the classroom. He’s the perfect candidate. A lot of times, when you have an SRO, you just find an officer who is a bout to retire, but we’re sending them our best patrol officer that we have, because that’s our best treasure that we have – that’s our future. We’re going to give them our best.”
During the meeting, the department also made several personnel moves, including accepting the resignation of recently hired Animal Control Officer Zach Parsons. The Board also accepted the resignation of patrol officer Johnny Barnes, who had been demoted from captain after Kelly took over as chief, and Deputy Court Clerk Tammy Barnes. According to Kelly, the pair moved to Pearl. The Board heard of other internal moves, including Marcus Ardis moving from full time to part time due to taking another job and transferring Brittany Yates to full time as the interim animal control coordinator.
The Board also approved the hiring of part time officer Billy Herrington, a certified officer who works for the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, and part time officer Adrien Fortenberry, a Walthall County Sheriff’s Office deputy and former Columbia Police officer.
Kelly also added to the ranks of the newly created Reserve Division with Oved Dunaway, Rachel Verner and Jonathon Martin coming aboard. Kelly also introduced volunteer staff members that are part of his community outreach program, Ryan Freeman, who will serve as chaplain and Jeni Southerland, who will handle promotions and events.
The Board also approved the department’s policy for use of Narcan for opioid overdoses. The CPD and Marion County Sheriff’s Office recently received the life-saving drug through a grant.
In other business, Chief Jeff McKenzie at the Columbia Fire Department had several hires approved by the Board; James Givens, a part-time certified firefighter, Chandler Moore, a full-time non-certified firefighter and Jacob T. Aultman, a full-time non-certified firefighter.
