By Marilyn Miller

The Dixie Inn Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Thursday afternoon to make the chief of police position in the village administrative only, and to postpone action on the number of officers to be hired until a new chief is appointed.

Most of the discussion centered around hiring part-time versus full-time officers. Lt. Chase Walsworth with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office addressed the board, citing the merits of part-time vs full-time employment of officers.

“Part-time hiring is especially good for smaller agencies,” Lt. Walsworth said, pointing out that costs like benefits (insurance), plus other perks, can be cut out, thus leaving funds that can be spread around to other departments.

There is also a benefit in that the chief can handle the administrative affairs of the department, while officers patrol. “You need to be seen…an officer can ride the streets in 15 minutes,” Lt. Walsworth added. “It’s easy to do.”

Alderman Lance Milligan was excited about the idea of hiring part-time officers. “If (a member of the sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency) is looking for a little more pay, this is ideal. I think it’s a great idea. And unity is a big thing…this can help bridge the gap between departments.”

“And they are already post-qualified, so we don’t have to pay for them to be trained. Oh, I think it’s great,” alderman Judy McKenzie noted, later adding that “Our main problem is being seen.”

Returning to talk about the chief’s appointment, Mayor Donna Hoffoss asked the board members if they “want to appoint the chief as just an administrative position.” Milligan then made the motion, which was seconded by alderman Nell Finlay.

Other representatives from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office were also in attendance. Major Phillip Krouse, standing in for Sheriff Jason Parker, pointed out that “the WPSO is currently working three cases in Dixie Inn.”

“Sheriff Parker is here to help you no matter what you need,” Major Krouse commented.

According to talk among the aldermen, the priorities in law enforcement at the present time are people from a trailer park walking through private property and breaking into cars, as well as traffic.

“It’s a crazy amount of traffic that comes through Dixie Inn,” Milligan said.