PEARL — Part-time law enforcement officers in Mississippi will have a new pathway to full-time certification under a rule approved this week by the Board of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training.
BLEOST approved Rule 9.5 for filing with the Secretary of State’s Office, establishing an alternative route for currently certified part-time officers to obtain full-time certification through demonstrated competency, training equivalency and sustained service — without completing a traditional full-time academy.
Under the rule, officers who have already completed an approved part-time training program may pursue full-time certification through evaluations conducted by accredited full-time training academies. The rule must complete the formal approval process with the Secretary of State before taking effect.
Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said the rule addresses a practical barrier that has kept qualified officers from advancing.
“I’m proud of the work being done to help part-time officers establish full-time certification opportunities for those who want to serve and protect their communities, but may not have the time or financial ability to step away from their other jobs to attend a traditional full-time academy,” Tindell said.
Lee County Sheriff Jim H. Johnson called the rule a meaningful step for agencies struggling to fill full-time positions.
“This is a great change to help our part-time officers achieve full-time status through the proper evaluation and training process that needs to be done to help increase our public safety in local communities across the state,” Johnson said.
BLEOST credited Standards and Training Director Vanderford and Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Captain Hendry with developing and presenting the rule to the board.
