Diamondhead council directs study on creating a city police department

The Diamondhead City Council voted Feb. 3 to authorize the city manager to explore creating a Diamondhead Police Department and to report recommendations back to the council.

City Manager John told the council he has discussed the idea with the county administrator and sheriff’s office and said the city could begin a transition as early as the start of the next fiscal year, with some overlap expected between a new city force and the sheriff's department. "We're looking at probably at least that month of September of this year, to have both in place," John said, adding the county has offered to help supply officers during a transition period.

John said overall operational costs could be similar to what the county charges today, but one major unknown is liability insurance for officers. "I don't know what that number is gonna be," he said, noting insurance and equipment questions will affect total cost estimates. He also said becoming a municipal police department could open law-enforcement grant opportunities the city cannot seek while under a sheriff contract.

Council members asked about timing, hiring and whether the city manager or council would hire a police chief. John said the city manager would make a hiring recommendation, but the chief appointment would be a council decision. "That will be a council hire," he said of the eventual chief selection.

The motion was put and approved by voice vote. The resolution directs the city manager to continue discussions, prepare a budget and timeline, and present options to the council for consideration.

Next steps: staff will produce a timeline, preliminary budget scenarios and potential grant opportunities for council review; the city will continue coordination with the county sheriff's office to ensure coverage during any transition.