MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Janus

AN ACT TO DESIGNATE SECURITY PERSONNEL OF HOUSING AUTHORITIES AS PEACE OFFICERS; TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF SUCH PEACE OFFICERS; TO REQUIRE TRAINING; TO REQUIRE AN OATH OF OFFICE; TO REQUIRE BONDING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The governing body of any housing authority within the State of Mississippi may, in its discretion, employ one or more persons as security personnel and shall be authorized to designate them as peace officers in or on any property operated for housing purposes by such housing authority upon taking such oath and making such bond as required of a constable.

(2) The governing body is authorized and empowered, in its discretion, and subject to the approval of the Federal Communications Commission, to install and operate a noncommercial radio broadcasting and transmission station for educational and vocational educational purposes.

SECTION 2. Any act which, if committed within the limits of a city, town or village, or in any public place, would be a violation of the general laws of this state, shall be criminal and punishable if done on the property, grounds or roads of any of the housing authorities of this state. The peace officers duly appointed by the governing body of any housing authority are vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law on housing authority property within the housing authority, and for preserving order and decorum thereon.

SECTION 3. (1) It shall be the duty of the security personnel of a housing authority to keep and preserve the peace within the property of his respective housing authority, by faithfully aiding and assisting in executing the criminal laws of the state; to give information, without delay, to some justice court judge or other proper officer, of all riots, routs and unlawful assemblies, and of every violation of the penal laws which may come to his knowledge in any manner whatsoever; to execute and return all process, civil and criminal, lawfully directed to him, according to the command thereof; and to pay over all moneys, when collected by him to the person lawfully authorized to receive the same.

(2) During the term of office, each security officer shall satisfactorily complete an appropriate curriculum established by the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training in the field of law enforcement at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy or such other police academies that are approved by the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training pursuant to Section 45-6-9. The governing body of the housing authority shall be responsible for paying, only one (1) time, the tuition, living and travel expenses incurred by any officer in attendance at such training program or curriculum. If such officer does not satisfactorily complete such program or curriculum, any further training which may be required by this section shall be completed at the expense of such officer. No officer shall be entitled to the receipt of any fees, costs or compensation authorized by law after the first twelve (12) months in office if he fails to satisfactorily complete the academy within twelve (12) months after his taking office.

SECTION 4. Security personnel of housing authorities shall take the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution and give bond, with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved as provided by law and in the same manner as county officials, in a penalty equal to Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). The bond premium for each officer shall be paid by the governing body of the housing authority. The governing body may at any time require such additional sum as it deems necessary.

SECTION 5. On or before January 7, 1990, the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training shall submit to the Mississippi State Legislature a proposal describing the training program required by this act, which is specifically designed for the training of security personnel of housing authorities. The proposal shall set forth in detail the nature and scope of the curriculum and time period of training for officers, with due consideration being given to the specific duties and responsibilities of such officers.

SECTION 6. The provisions of this act shall be codified in Chapter 33, Title 43, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.