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Diamondhead council hears plan to hire police chief as city weighs creating local police force
Summary
City staff presented a draft police‑chief job description and said hiring would require council approval of the job description and likely a budget amendment; residents urged more public input and warned about liability and costs.
Diamondhead City’s manager presented a draft job description for a police chief and told the council the position will not be advertised until the council approves the description, a step city staff said is necessary before creating a local police force.
The city manager (Staff member, speaker 2) said the salary listed on the agenda is “an average that I found for many, several cities of similar size” and described the budget as a rough draft. He said start‑up costs for a local department would likely require a budget amendment and might be funded from the city’s fund balance until more precise figures are available. “We’ve got some estimated numbers of maybe about $25,000 or so” for certain insurance costs, he added.
Council members asked how much has been budgeted for a police chief, and one councilor noted insurance and liability as a major concern. The manager replied staff will need to assemble a detailed operating budget once a chief is hired, and that some costs now borne directly by the city (equipment, vehicles) would remain while interlocal agreements covering officer salaries would change.
Residents at the meeting urged the council to pause and collect more public input. Ben Casuchio, a resident who said he has “45 years worth of law enforcement” experience, told the council he had not seen a study or crime data justifying a stand‑alone police department and warned that “one bad arrest will break this town.” He urged the council to present a white paper or study on justification and to consult residents before proceeding.
Other public commenters raised budget and insurance worries and asked for more community meetings before the council moves forward with hiring. The city manager said one of the potential benefits of a local department would be eligibility for federal grant programs the city cannot currently pursue while contracting with the sheriff’s department.
No final action was taken during the March 3 meeting; staff said a formal job description will be brought back for council approval before any recruitment or advertising begins. The council will consider budget amendments and further public engagement as details are developed.
