Video: Local Cities Bolster Police Departments

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The Columbus City Council and Starkville Board of Aldermen approved their police departments’ request to hire more police officers.

The Columbus City Council swore in 3 active and 4 reserve officers Tuesday, as well as approved Interim Chief Fred Shelton’s request to hire 3 additional officers, 2 full-time and 1 part-time.

“By doing this we’ll beef up the shifts and increase the shifts…especially during the holidays…”, said Mayor of Columbus Robert Smith.

After Tuesday’s city council meeting, the Columbus Police Department totals 64 officers.

A timetable hasn’t been made as to when the 3 additional hires will be made and the interview process is ongoing.

Along with Columbus, Starkville Alderman approved the hiring of six additional officers.

Starkville Chief of Police Frank Nichols said it’s the first time the city has hired 6 or more officers since 2008.

Nichols said the need for officers is greater as the population of Starkville continues to rise, and “we have a university that has over 20,000 students. So a large population of those students live here in the city.”

The recent decision will increase the Starkville police force to 60 officers, and Nichols says he hopes to reach 70 officers in the next 3 to 4 years.