The Mississippi Division Board of Directors held their 2006 board meeting in Jackson, Ms on August 11^th and 12^th at the Hilton Hotel on County Line Road in Jackson, Ms.

PBA chapter presidents from around the state convened as the Division board of directors on the morning of August 11^th  to address an array of association business aimed to benefit PBA members.  

A very informative presentation was provided to board members regarding the Police Benevolent Foundation (PBF). The presentation was made by Jack Roberts, President of Southern States PBA, Terry Nowell, Director of Training and Research and Marlon Trone, Director of the Police Benevolent Foundation. The PBF is an IRS approved

501-c3 tax deductible foundation created by Southern States PBA . Essentially this means that all donations to the foundation are tax deductible to the donor. All administrative cost in the operation of the foundation will be borne by Southern States PBA of which Mississippi PBA is a division.  The IRS restricts the type of expenditures that may be made from a 501-C3 such as the PBF. Currently funds of the foundation may be used for such things as death benefits for members, human rights legal defense and college scholarships for children of law enforcement officers.

The board of directors voted to address two primary issues in the 2007 legislative session. First and foremost is the Officers Due Process Bill. This bill has been introduced in the Legislature for the past three years at the request of PBA. The legislation was nearly successful in the 2006 session passing the Senate with a unanimous vote and the House by a vote of 113 in favor of passage and 6 against. The bill was then placed back on the House calendar as a result of a “Motion to Reconsider” made by Representative Mark Baker of Rankin County. It subsequently died on the calendar as Representative Baker intended. Representative Baker is also the municipal attorney for the city of Brandon, Ms.

A second legislative issue to be addressed was the introduction of a “Move Over Law.” This is legislation designed in an effort reduce the fatal or serious injury of officers from oncoming traffic during traffic stops.

Additional business included the screening of a number of candidates for U.S. Congress seeking the public endorsement of PBA. Participating candidates were screened in regard to various issues of concern to the law enforcement profession by a committee made up of Chapter presidents and vice presidents from throughout the state. At the conclusion of the screening process the Board of directors deliberated giving careful consideration to each candidate before voting to endorse following candidates.