L.B. police problems outlined

LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI
POLICE DEPARTMENT

Yet many on force are dedicated, chief tells aldermen  

STEVEN A. McCALEB
103 ALVERADO DRIVE
LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI 39560
PHONE & FAX: (228)-868-8428
E-MAIL: mcaleb5thdist@aol.com
WEB SITE: www.mississippiwebsite.com

Acting Chief Randy Cook, outlined several physical deficiencies, including a hole in the ceiling in the department's evidence vault.

I wonder how big the hole is in the evidence vault, is it big enough for a person to enter the vault?

I believe I see a pattern here, "acting Chief Randy Cook, a major with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, said he detected the problem when he learned his orders were not being passed on to officers." 

It's like when the Federal Government was trying to run the war in Vietnam.

By RICHARD MEEK
THE SUN HERALD

LONG BEACH - Many of the problems plaguing the Long Beach Police Department are due to second-level management, the interim police chief said Tuesday.

Acting Chief Randy Cook, a major with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, said he detected the problem when he learned his orders were not being passed on to officers.

"There's not a good command staff," Cook said Tuesday night after outlining some of the beleaguered department's problems to the Board of Aldermen. "Not every officer fits in that role, but there are some, and whoever the new chief is will face the same problem."

Cook, who has been on the job for three weeks, praised the quality and morale of the police.

"The majority of the department is the most dedicated I've ever worked for," he said. "Based on what you are paying them, I'm not sure I would do it."

However, Cook outlined several physical deficiencies, including a hole in the ceiling in the department's evidence vault, uncertified reserve officers and a firing range that was apparently operating at odd hours and creating a nuisance in the neighborhood.

Cook said evidence in felony cases was moved to the county jail's vault.

Cook, director of operations for the Sheriff's Department, said he does not know how long he will remain acting chief.

Richard Meek can be reached at 604-0706 or at rsmeek@sunherald.com

STEVEN A. McCALEB
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