Senate Bill 2904

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO SET UP SATELLITE POLICE WORK STATIONS IN PRIVATE BUSINESS LOCATIONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO ALLOW ROUTINE POLICE AND SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS TO OFFER SECURITY IN PRIVATE BUSINESS LOCATIONS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Certified law enforcement officers or part-time law enforcement officers, as defined in Section 45-6-3, may be assigned by the employing jurisdiction to provide security and other law enforcement services in private business locations, provided that:

(a) The business is located in an area identified by the governing authority of the employing jurisdiction as a high risk area;

(b) The business employs a minimum of thirty (30) employees; and

(c) The governing authority of the employing jurisdiction has determined that the business makes a significant contribution to the local economic well-being of the jurisdiction or to the area identified as high risk by the governing authority of the employing jurisdiction.

(2) The law enforcement officers so assigned shall wear their uniforms and use their weapons and like equipment while assigned to any such private business or satellite police work stations with approval by the governing body by which they are employed. Such employment shall not be considered a violation of state ethics law.

(3) The governing authority of the jurisdiction shall determine before such satellite police work station is approved that the proposed satellite police work station is not of such nature as is likely to bring disrepute on the agency, the officer, the law enforcement profession or the county or municipality, and that the performance of such duties and the use of such agency equipment is in the public interest. Each governing authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the establishment of satellite police work stations and the employment therein by its officers, including requirements that private businesses agree to indemnify the agency or governing authority as a condition of approving the private business employment location.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.