• 43°
franklin county times

Rescinded: State board acts against county patrolmen

By Staff
CERTIFICATION Despite a decision Thursday by the state Board of Minimum Standards and Training to rescind their law enforcement certificates, county patrolmen will continue business as usual, according to Lauderdale County officials. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
Jan. 12, 2001
The state Board of Minimum Standards and Training voted Thursday to rescind the law enforcement certificates of Lauderdale County patrolmen.
But the effect of the action remained unclear, with at least two county supervisors disagreeing on what the state board's action means.
Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors president Jimmie Smith said the standards board did not revoke the certificates, and even if they did, county patrolmen will continue with their regular road patrol duties. District 3 Supervisor Craig Hitt said he isn't sure what took place at the board's meeting in Hattiesburg. He said he will await verification of its decision before responding.
Minimum standards and training board member Sheriff Billy McGee of Forrest County disagrees.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said problems exist with county patrolmen who carry weapons but no law enforcement certificates.
The vote was taken by the Board of Minimum Standards after Sollie requested a review of the county patrolmen's certificates. Sollie said that under state law, they did not meet the definition of law enforcement officers and that they do not write citations as they are authorized to do.
McGee said the county patrolmen have the right to appeal the decision through the Lauderdale County Chancery Court.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x