By John Howell
Aldermen approved promotions for four Batesville police officers and advanced training requests for 16 additional police personnel during Tuesday’s meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen.
“We’re trying to be prepared in case something happens,” Police Chief Tony Jones said. “We’re looking at some people in strategic positions; our special ops are steady training; our detectives are out their trying to get intel.”
Jones introduced the officers to the mayor, aldermen and audience members during Tuesday’s meeting. Former Lieutenant Kerry Pittman was promoted to captain, former Sergeant Richard Lott was promoted to lieutenant; and former Patrolmen Rickie Terrell and Scott Cagle were promoted to sergeants.
“These are all good men, and they are well-qualified,” Jones said.
“Be careful, and keep up the good work,” Alderman Stan Harrison said.
“Let your guys know that we support them 100 percent,” Alderman Ted Stewart said. “We’ve got a real, real good rapport in the community.”
“Since we got (those) body cameras — Judge McKenzie and everybody in the community knows — seems like we’re working on the right track.
“That’s what we’re trying to do and we’re trying to be prepared,” Jones said. “I worry about an active shooter more than anything and that’s where we’ve really got to train, should it happen, and I hope to God it (doesn’t).”
Sergeant Charlie Tindall will attend training at the Drug Unit Commander Academy following aldermen’s approval of the police chief’s request.
Two dispatchers have been scheduled to attend Officer Involved Shooting and Critical Incidents Training; 12 officers have been scheduled to attend Incident Command System Training in Tunica on two separate days and a dispatcher has been scheduled for Crisis Call Handling/Stress Management Training in Philadelphia.
In other police business, aldermen approved:
• Chief Jones’ request to be allowed to purchase a Yamaha utility vehicle for $7,025. The purchase will give BPD two utility vehicles;
• a request from a patrol sergeant to be allowed to relinquish his rank in order to move to the department’s Special Operations Division;
• a request from a patrol officer to be allowed to work part-time for the University of Mississippi during football season;
• a request that Chip, a nine-year-old K-9, be retired and transferred to Patrolman Greg Jones who has been his handler.