House Bill 679

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY TO WEAR THE OFFICIAL UNIFORM AND UTILIZE THE OFFICIAL FIREARM, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT ISSUED BY THE EMPLOYING JURISDICTION WHILE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF VOLUNTARY DISASTER RELIEF IN THIS STATE OR ANOTHER STATE DURING OFF-DUTY HOURS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Certified law enforcement officers or certified part-time law enforcement officers, as defined in Section 45-6-3, who are employed by a county or municipality may wear the official uniform and may utilize the official firearm, vehicles and equipment issued by the employing jurisdiction while in the performance of voluntary disaster relief in this state or another state during off-duty hours. The governing authority of a municipality must approve of such use of the uniform, official weapon, vehicles and equipment by municipal law enforcement officers by act spread upon the minutes of such board and approved by the chief executive. The sheriff of a county must approve such use of the uniform, official weapon, vehicles and equipment by deputy sheriffs. Approval shall be on an employee-by-employee basis and not by general order. Any proceedings regarding application or approval and the minutes regarding same shall be a public record.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.