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Sheriff's office asks commissioners to approve rank change, face‑recognition software and grant matches
Summary
Harrison County's sheriff's office asked the commissioners to reclassify a narcotics sergeant to lieutenant (no new position), buy an annual Clearview AI license for criminal investigations, and include county matches for potential plate‑reader and COPS grants in the budget.
Judge Poindexter called the sheriff's department budget first in the workshop. The sheriff's department representative told commissioners the office is not asking for new positions but wants to reclassify one of two narcotics sergeants to lieutenant and adjust pay accordingly.
The presenter said criminal-investigation costs are up mainly because the department is seeking an annual subscription to Clearview AI, a face‑recognition service, that would cost $7,240 per year and include vendor training. "It's called Clearview AI, and it's a face reader," the sheriff's department representative said. He said the line was included in section 16, criminal investigation, and that the department expected the change to increase the budget by roughly $1,000–$1,500 in that category.
The department also asked the court to budget matching funds for two potential grants. "Lieutenant Mays has applied for a grant for plate readers," the presenter said, noting the county's match would be $53,432 if the award is made. Separately, the presenter said the county's share for a COPS grant would be $37,500. He told commissioners those match amounts appear in the packet so staff would not have to return later to request funds if the county receives the awards.
On fleet needs, the presenter said eight hybrid patrol vehicles leased through Enterprise will return Oct. 1 and that replacements were chosen to be the same body style to lower long‑term costs and equipment differences. The department requested two 4x4 pickup trucks for the CID crime‑scene team with locked storage systems so technicians can carry and secure tools on overnight calls. The presenter said a one‑ton truck is safer for towing a heavy, custom 10,000‑pound trailer used frequently for impounds and evidence work.
The sheriff's representative said an auction led by Miss Darla has sold 26 surplus vehicles (not all yet collected), which will reduce inventory and insurance exposure when buyers pick them up. He also noted jail operating costs have risen: parts and repairs for the annex increased about 30 percent and food costs by about 3.79 percent. Commissioners asked staff to get a second bid on a proposed jail roof repair and hoped the work could be completed before the rainy season.
The presenter said he would send commissioners and clerks any small corrective changes to the packet. The court recessed for a short break at the end of the sheriff's presentation.
