MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representatives Cockerham, Stamps
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 17-25-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE OFF-DUTY USE OF MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY POLICE VEHICLES BY CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ENGAGING IN PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT IN OFF-DUTY HOURS; TO PROVIDE THAT USE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY WHOSE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED; TO REQUIRE THE PERSON OR ENTITY HIRING THE OFFICER TO NAME THE EMPLOYING JURISDICTION AS A NAMED INSURED ON ITS LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICIES; TO PROHIBIT USE OF THE OFFICIAL VEHICLE WHERE THE PERSON OR ENTITY REFUSES TO ENDORSE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE EMPLOYING JURISDICTION; TO AMEND SECTION 21-19-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 17-25-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
17-25-11. (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 and the
official vehicle issued by the employing jurisdiction while in the
performance of private security services in off-duty hours. The governing
authority of a municipality must approve of such use of the uniform * * *, official weapon and vehicle
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 and vehicle
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.
(2) Each governing
board and chief executive or sheriff shall determine before the use of the
official uniform * * *,
weapon and vehicle is approved that the proposed employment is not
likely to bring disrepute to the employing jurisdiction or its law enforcement
agency, the officer at issue, or law enforcement generally, and that the use of
the official uniform * * *, weapon and vehicle in the discharge of the
officer's private security endeavor promotes the public interest.
(3) (a) Acts and
omissions of an officer in discharge of private security employment shall be
deemed to be the acts and omissions of the person or entity * * * who hires or enters into any
independent contractual service agreement with an officer for * * * the private security services, and
not the acts and omissions of the employing jurisdiction whose uniform * * *, weapon and vehicle are
approved for * * *
the private security use. * * *
(b) The person or entity, and the person's or entity's insurer, who hires or enters into any independent contractual service agreement with an officer for private security services shall:
(i) Hold
harmless the employing jurisdiction * * * and fully
indemnify the employing jurisdiction for any expense or loss, including
attorney's fees and any damage to the official vehicle, which results
from any action taken against the employing jurisdiction arising out of
the acts or omissions of the officer in discharge of private security services
while wearing the official uniform or using the official weapon * * * or vehicle; and
(ii) Name the employing jurisdiction as a named insured on its general liability and automobile liability policies for at least the amount of recovery provided for in Section 11-46-15 for any damage to the official vehicle.
(c) If the person or entity, and the person's or entity's insurer, fails or refuses to endorse, indemnify and hold harmless the employing jurisdiction, the employing jurisdiction shall not approve the use of the official vehicle of the employing jurisdiction for private security services.
(d) Neither the
state nor any subdivision thereof shall be liable for a claim or injury
arising from the acts or omissions of an officer in the discharge of * * * any private security employment
duties under this section, including travel to and from private security
employment duties in the official vehicle.
(4) Certified police officers performing private jobs during their off-duty hours are required to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of the place of employment, the hours to be worked, and the type of employment.
(5) The official uniform * * *, weapon and vehicle may be
worn and utilized only at locations which are within the jurisdiction of the
governmental entity whose uniform * * *, weapon and vehicle are
involved.
SECTION 2. Section 21-19-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
21-19-49. (1) The governing authority of any municipality or the board of supervisors of any county are hereby authorized and empowered to appropriate money or dedicate and convey municipally-owned buildings and property or county-owned buildings and property, as the case may be, to the school district or districts situated within that municipality or county for the purpose of erecting, purchasing or otherwise providing the school building or a site for such school building of such school district, in cases where the governing authority or board of supervisors are of the opinion that the location of such school building within the corporate limits of the municipality or the county, or in close proximity thereto, will be of special benefit to the inhabitants of the municipality or county.
(2) Municipalities, municipal police departments and the sheriffs' departments may contract with the school board of any school district to provide additional Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy-certified police protection to said school district on such terms and for such reimbursement as the school district and the entity may agree in their discretion.
(3) (a) The governing authority of any municipality or the board of supervisors of any county may allow off-duty municipal or county law enforcement officers who are hired individually for security purposes by the school district or districts within that municipality or county to use municipal or county law enforcement uniforms and equipment, which includes vehicles, during such off-duty employment.
(b) If the person or entity, and the person's or entity's insurer, fails or refuses to endorse, indemnify and hold harmless the employing jurisdiction, the employing jurisdiction shall not approve the use of the official vehicle of the employing jurisdiction for private security services.
(4) The governing authority of any municipality, in its discretion, may donate funds, equipment or in-kind services to any school district located within the boundaries of the municipality to assist the voluntary character development or public service programs of that school district.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.