Diamondhead city leaders plan to hire a police chief this month as the city moves closer to creating its own municipal police department.
The city has contracted with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services since Diamondhead was established in 2012. City Manager Jon McCraw said creating a city police department has always been part of the long-term plan, but it was not financially viable when Diamondhead first incorporated.
“It’s just something we’ve always planned on doing, and just now it’s gotten to the point where we feel like it’s time that we should grow up like a city,” McCraw said.
After a chief is hired, city officials expect the chief to hire eight officers and additional staff as needed. McCraw said residents will not pay extra for equipment because much of it has already been purchased, and officer salaries will continue to be funded through Diamondhead residents’ tax dollars.
McCraw said the change is not expected to affect emergency response times because the department will continue to operate through the Hancock County dispatch system.
The city is still deciding where the department will be married. Engineers are looking at renovating space inside Diamondhead City Hall, including adding an evidence room and armory. City officials have also discussed moving the department to a wing of the Diamondhead Community Center.
McCraw said vehicles, firearms and other equipment are already available from purchases the city made in 2012 for sheriff’s deputies assigned to Diamondhead.
Former Diamondhead Police Chief A.J. Gambino said he believes a city-run department can better serve the community.
Hancock County Sheriff Johnny Alison said the Sheriff’s Office will remain available if Diamondhead needs help, although the county will not be involved in developing the department.
McCraw expects the department to begin operations in early September.
This report was produced by the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at the University of Southern Mississippi.