MBN Graduates First Class in a Decade

JACKSON, Miss. — Rankin County Judge Kent McDaniel swore in 28 graduates of a six-week drug enforcement class November 7^th at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in Pearl. The officers are the state’s newest narcotics agents.

“As we try and augment the shortage of narcotics officers, the addition of these agents will significantly increase the ranks of MBN as it moves forward in its mission to reduce the illegal drug trade in our state,” Public Safety Commissioner Albert Santa Cruz said.

The cadets all have prior law enforcement experience. They were provided additional training at MLEOTA in basic, undercover, and complex narcotics investigations; use of force; ethics; asset forfeiture; firearms; as well as physical fitness, said state Director Sam Owens.

“It’s been more than a decade since we’ve had a class of agents. This one was made possible with the support of Gov. Phil Bryant and with funding appropriated by the 2014 Legislature,” said Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Sam Owens.

Each agent got their district assignments upon graduation. They will work with veteran agents for at least three months before they begin to work independently.