Madison MS May 21 2013 Madison County is increasing security at its Justice Court.
The Board of Supervisors has approved hiring a full-time sheriff’s deputy and a part-time deputy to provide security and monitor a metal detector for entry into the court building, located next to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department in Canton.
“By all means, safety is a top priority,” supervisors President Gerald Steen said.
Chief Deputy Jeremy Williams said the sheriff’s goal is to have the new personnel hired by June 1.
The annual cost, including salary and benefits, of hiring the two deputies is $78,765.06. The county also is paying a one-time cost of $7,636 for the deputies’ uniforms and equipment. Hiring the deputies for the last four months of the current budget year will cost the county about $26,000.
The part-time deputy will work 24 hours per week and serve as relief for the full-time deputy, Williams said. The part-time employee also will be used to fill in at the Madison County Circuit Court building.
The county already owns a metal detector for the Justice Court but had not put it into use because there was not a deputy to oversee its operation. Once the metal detector is in place, Williams said the Justice Court will follow the security operations at Circuit Court by no longer allowing purses or cellphones to be taken into the building.
Justice Court does have county constables in the courtroom when any of the four judges are sitting on the bench. “But it is the sheriff’s responsibility to secure the grounds of Justice Court,” Williams said. “I believe there is a need for this.”
There have been no instances that prompted the move to improve security, officials said. Williams said Madison County is following the lead of Rankin and Hinds counties, which have deputies providing security at their Justice Courts.
“Safety these days is just a necessity,” Supervisor Karl Banks said.
“Security has never been an issue there,” Sheriff Randy Tucker said. “We’re just trying to get ahead of the ball game.”
source clarion-ledger
The Board of Supervisors has approved hiring a full-time sheriff’s deputy and a part-time deputy to provide security and monitor a metal detector for entry into the court building, located next to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department in Canton.
“By all means, safety is a top priority,” supervisors President Gerald Steen said.
Chief Deputy Jeremy Williams said the sheriff’s goal is to have the new personnel hired by June 1.
The annual cost, including salary and benefits, of hiring the two deputies is $78,765.06. The county also is paying a one-time cost of $7,636 for the deputies’ uniforms and equipment. Hiring the deputies for the last four months of the current budget year will cost the county about $26,000.
The part-time deputy will work 24 hours per week and serve as relief for the full-time deputy, Williams said. The part-time employee also will be used to fill in at the Madison County Circuit Court building.
The county already owns a metal detector for the Justice Court but had not put it into use because there was not a deputy to oversee its operation. Once the metal detector is in place, Williams said the Justice Court will follow the security operations at Circuit Court by no longer allowing purses or cellphones to be taken into the building.
Justice Court does have county constables in the courtroom when any of the four judges are sitting on the bench. “But it is the sheriff’s responsibility to secure the grounds of Justice Court,” Williams said. “I believe there is a need for this.”
There have been no instances that prompted the move to improve security, officials said. Williams said Madison County is following the lead of Rankin and Hinds counties, which have deputies providing security at their Justice Courts.
“Safety these days is just a necessity,” Supervisor Karl Banks said.
“Security has never been an issue there,” Sheriff Randy Tucker said. “We’re just trying to get ahead of the ball game.”
source clarion-ledger
