Low manpower and uncertified officers were two of the challenges for Chief Kenny Hampton when he assumed leadership of the city police department. About a month after the city leaders offered him the position, he has already hired nine new officers and increased the number of certified officers within Yazoo City.
“And we continue to receive applications from certified officers who want to work in Yazoo City,” Hampton said. "We are about to double the number of officers we had when I arrived, and the public has told me they have noticed more officers patrolling our streets. We intend to keep that momentum going.”
Thanks to the recent approval by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Hampton said he welcomed three new officers this week. Those officers are already preparing to head into the weekend patrol, which now has about five to six officers on the streets.
“We are about to do some special things in Yazoo City,” Hampton added.
Hampton said his department now has 18 certified officers, including both part-time and full-time. He also has two officers who are heading into the state training academy.
“And we are still recruiting to fill up those full-time positions,” he said. “I would say that we still have room for about eight more people, which would bring us to being fully staffed.”
The absence of certified officers was a major obstacle for Hampton when he accepted the chief position in May. At one time, there was only one officer on the streets during evening patrol. But thanks to the support of the city council and actively pursuing qualified officers, Hampton said it was an obstacle he took care of quickly.
“Having more officers now shows with our patrolling,” Hampton said. “We are increasing our presence in problem areas, and we will be having check points from time to time. Those check points assist us in recovering firearms off the streets and addressing curfew violations. I just recovered a firearm today, and it’s those little things that add up. The officers are doing a great job, and the public has told me that they have noticed a change.”
