Video: City Council Agrees On Police Department Improvements

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and the city council agreed to improvements at the request of the Columbus police department.

The city agreed to pay for Stanley the K9 officer, who has been trained by the police department for the past few months. The K9 and his officer will now join the force, and the city will pay $8,980 to help cover the cost.

Mayor Smith said “you can’t argue” with paying for the canine officer.

“If you have someone lost and family members are seeking assistance…”, said Smith, “…[the K9 officer] will be a conduit as far as a tracking standpoint…drugs, whatever the case may be, the K9 units is always a valuable asset to any police department…”

Along with the new crime fighting dog, the city council also approved the purchase of G.P.S. technology to put in Columbus police vehicles. The city will pay for a system for 40 police vehicles, for a one time purchase total of $1,160.

Chief Oscar Lewis said shift supervisors will have access to the G.P.S. information, and will possibly connect the technology to 911 dispatchers so they are able to send the nearest officer to a call.

Lewis said the technology will also help hold his officers accountable, saying, “we receive a lot of complaints, “Well, I’m not seeing the police in this area, I’m not seeing the police in that area.” So, with that we can go back and say this guy worked this area this night, He came by here this many times, you can go back and re-trace routes…”

Lewis also said he appreciates the city council’s decision to help improves accountability and more importantly safety for his officers.

“With the climate across the country now with the officer-involved shootings and…officers being killed in the line of duty, I mean it’s important to be able to find our officers…if they’re not able to get on the radio or they’re not heard from.”

Lewis, the mayor, and the city council also approved promoting Captain Fred Shelton to become Assistant Chief. Shelton served as interim chief for the department after former chief Tony Carleton resigned and before the city council hired Lewis.