By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
July 29, 2001
Volunteers and their horses could get the chance to serve their community and help the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department by becoming part of an auxiliary mounted patrol.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department will hold a public meeting Monday at 6 p.m. in the training room to gauge interest in the program.
Maj. Ward Calhoun of the sheriff's department said the patrol would be within the existing auxiliary division established at the department in 1996.
Sheriff Billy Sollie said the existing auxiliary division holds fund-raisers for their own equipment, and the public hearing will help determine if the mounted patrol will need any funding from the department.
Calhoun said a citizen brought up the idea; since then, several other community members have expressed interest.
Calhoun said working auxiliary deputies also has another advantage. It gives volunteers a chance to work in the field to see if it's something they would be interested in full-time, and it gives law enforcement officials a chance to learn their work habits and skills.
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.