MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: County Affairs

By: Representatives Green (96th), Taylor, Ellis

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-25-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE SHERIFF IN EACH COUNTY SHALL REGULARLY EMPLOY A MINIMUM OF FIVE DEPUTIES HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 19-25-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-25-21. The sheriff in each county shall regularly employ a minimum of five (5) deputies having law enforcement duties.

In those counties comprised of two (2) judicial districts having a total population of thirty-five thousand (35,000) or more, there shall be not less than two (2) deputies in the judicial district in which the sheriff does not reside, one (1) of whom shall be the chief deputy in charge of the office, all of whom shall be subject to the direction of the sheriff. In those counties comprised of two (2) judicial districts having a total population of less than thirty-five thousand (35,000), there shall be at least one (1) deputy in the judicial district in which the sheriff does not reside who shall be subject to the direction of the sheriff.

Each deputy sheriff who shall have law enforcement duties shall, at the expense of the county, attend and complete an appropriate curriculum in the field of law enforcement at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Academy within one (1) year from the date of his appointment, excluding those who have previously served as sheriff, or have had at least five (5) years' experience as a full-time law enforcement officer, or have previously successfully completed a course of training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Academy or at the Jackson Police Academy. Any deputy sheriff exempted from attendance at the initial course as herein provided because of previous service as sheriff or having five (5) years' full-time law enforcement experience must have served as sheriff or obtained such experience within a period of ten (10) years prior to the date of his taking the oath of office. Any deputy sheriff exempted from attendance because of successful completion of a course of training at either of the aforementioned academies must have completed such course within five (5) years prior to the date of his taking the oath of office. Each deputy sheriff shall thereafter, on a periodic and continuing basis, attend additional advanced courses in law enforcement at said Academy in order that each deputy sheriff will be properly informed and trained in the modern, technical advances in the field of law enforcement.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.