By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 29, 2001
Meridian Community College and the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department have been designated as a training academy for correctional officers.
Sheriff Billy Sollie brought this news to county supervisors at a work session Thursday. He said college officials are requesting the county pay the $960 fee to get MCC's Edward Abdella certified through the Rankin County Sheriff's Department to do the training.
State law requires correctional officers have 80 hours of training and become certified, Sollie said.
People interested in entering this career field would come from surrounding counties and possibly from around the state to get certified in Lauderdale County.
Board president Jimmie Smith said MCC should pay to have its personnel trained.
County Administrator Rex Hiatt said he isn't sure if the county can legally fund the training if it is for a non-county employee.
Supervisors tabled the matter until their next work session, asking Sollie to get more information about the program.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.