Analysis of the Staffing and Manpower Allocation of

the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Executive Summary
The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) is a special-fund
agency of the State of Mississippi that oversees operations and maintenance of the
33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir and an adjoining 17,000 acres of land.
PRVWSD and Barnett Reservoir are home to about 13,000 Mississippians,
which if, it were to incorporate, would rank number 32 in Mississippi cities based
on population. Barnett Reservoir is also a recreational hub in Central Mississippi;
one that the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District estimates
attracts 2.5 million visitors annually, generating $81 million in taxable revenue.
Although it operates on self-generated funds, its annual budget must be
approved by the Legislature, which in 2017, in House Bill 1520, directed
PRVWSD to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the agency’s staff and, in
particular, the Reservoir Police.
The following extensive report includes the information requested, and was
compiled from several sources: surveys of its residents, PRVWSD financial and
employee records and statistics, and contacts with other state agencies and local
agencies in the five counties and neighboring communities on PRVWSD borders.
Through the information included in this report, these conclusions can be
gleaned:
1. PRVWSD and Barnett Reservoir are assets to the State of Mississippi and its
citizens.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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2. Reservoir Police is a necessary entity that provides a unique service that no

other law enforcement agency is equipped to handle, or has the funding or the
desire to duplicate.
3. PRVWSD’s residents overwhelmingly feel Reservoir Police yields a level of
protection that provides many societal benefits: led by a secure and comfortable
lifestyle important to quality of life, as well as protection of home values.
4. Reservoir Police is a bargain, operating on about 3.5 percent of the budget
expenditures approved by the Legislature for PRVWSD. The cost to field a
Reservoir Police officer is approximately 75 percent of that of surrounding
communities.
5. Reservoir Police is able to perform all required tasks with the current staff of
11 full-time officers and 10 reserves.
It is the conclusion of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Board of
Directors that this study shows clearly that the Reservoir Police serves the
community and the state well and should continue in its present form.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Table of Contents:

1. Executive comment
2. Table of contents
3. Background
4. Analysis of the current and future needs of the PRVWSD’s Police
Department.
a. Current needs – staffing / manpower
b. Future needs – staffing / manpower
5. Allocation of the funds appropriated by the Legislature.
6. Operation and staffing of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District
agency.
7. Reservoir Police:
a. Functions and duties
b. Limitations
8. Report the impact to the PRVWSD in entering intergovernmental
agreements with other state agencies and/or law enforcement authorities to
encompass and provide some or all of the functions of the Reservoir Police.
9. Report financial and societal benefits, savings, and relative improvements of
services for leaseholders, tourists, visitors and other parties of interest.
10. Conclusion.
11. Exhibits
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Background

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, a self-funded, special-fund

agency, submits an annual budget outline to the legislature for approval of
expenditures. In 2017, House Bill 15201 approved the PRVWSD budget
expenditures but included a directive from the legislature within Section 9 of
HB1520 as follows:

SECTION 9. Of the funds appropriated herein, the district agrees

to provide to the members of the Legislature, the Governor and
Lt. Governor, on or before January 1, 2018, a comprehensive
analysis of the staffing and manpower allocation of the district.
This report shall include an analysis of the current and future
needs of the district and allocation of the funds appropriated by
the Legislature for duties of the district including the
operation and staffing of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply
District Patrol. The report should address the various
functions, duties and limitations of the Patrol and the benefit,
to the district, in lieu of maintaining the Patrol in its current
form, in entering intergovernmental agreements with other state
agencies and/or law enforcement authorities to encompass and
provide some or all the functions of the Patrol for the district.
The report should also address the associated financial and
societal benefit, savings, and relative improvement of services
for leaseholders, tourists, visitors and other parties in
interest.

The PRVWSD sought additional direction from the Legislature to confirm

the intended focus of the report should be on the PRVWSD Police Department.
The following report will address the requested analysis in a manner to mirror
language within Section 9.

PRVWSD’s mission is to operate and maintain the Ross Barnett Reservoir

and surrounding PRVWSD lands to provide: water supply, flood mitigation,
recreational opportunities, multiple forest uses, and quality communities.

1
MS HB1520, see Exhibit 1
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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PRVWSD must generate sufficient revenue to meet these goals without tax support
from the member counties. PRVWSD provides water and wastewater utilities to
the residences and businesses on PRVWSD property, and provides law
enforcement protection for the PRVWSD-operated recreation facilities, which
include campgrounds, parks, boat launches and fishing areas.

PRVWSD contains 50,000 acres of property; approximately 33,000 acres are

under the waters of the lake. PRVWSD has 4,000 acres in residential and
commercial leases, approximately 10,000 acres in timber, and 3,000 acres in parks
and campgrounds2. With a population estimated at over 13,000, PRVWSD’s
resident population is larger than 20 of the 82 counties in the State of Mississippi,
and if it were incorporated, it would rank number 32 among Mississippi cities in
population3.

PRVWSD’s recreational opportunities include the 33,000-acre lake, 4 large

day-use parks, 8 neighborhood or mini parks, 5 campgrounds totaling 611 pads, 16
large public boat ramps, 9 smaller neighborhood boat ramps, 42 miles of
multipurpose trails (walking, hiking and biking), 2 public beach areas and
numerous sand bars along the upper river area. Most of the 10,000 acres of timber
is open to hunting4.

As a special-fund agency, PRVWSD receives no regular annual

appropriation from the state’s general fund. PRVWSD derives its operating budget
from fees from leasing property, water/sewer service for its residents, timber sales,
and occasionally the award of grant funds for specific projects or equipment.

2
John C. Stennis Institute of Government report: The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District: An Overview for
Decision-Makers, see Exhibit 2
3
Ibid. 61
4
Ibid. 29
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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PRVWSD receives no ad valorem tax or sales tax funds, nor does it receive gas or
mineral royalties.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Analysis of current and future needs of Reservoir Police

Current needs

The Reservoir Police is staffed at 11 officers at this time. A time-limited PIN

remains open for a grant-funded officer should the PRVWSD be awarded grant
funds in the future.
Considering a visitor count of 30,000 to 50,000 in parks, other open spaces,
and on the lake during major holiday events, a Reservoir Police force of 11 officers
and 10 reserve officers is required and currently staffed. On a routine weekend
with an average of 5,000 visitors, the Reservoir Police force is staffed to
accommodate.
There are no major equipment purchases currently scheduled.

Future needs

As technology improves there will be a need to keep the police systems in

line with other agencies.
Normal replacement of equipment due to use is to be expected.
If the PRVWSD should receive a change in mission, or experiences a surge
in growth, the PRVWSD Board of Directors will address any need for additional
officers at that time.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Allocation of funds appropriated by the Legislature

The PRVWSD is a self-funded, special-fund agency of the State of

Mississippi, receiving no regular appropriations from the state general fund. The
PRVWSD derives its operating budget from fees from leasing property,
water/sewer service to its residents, timber sales and, occasionally the award of
grant funds for specific projects or equipment. The PRVWSD receives no ad
valorem tax funds or sales tax funds, nor gas or mineral royalties. The Reservoir
Police receives no funds from citations issued on PRVWSD property.

The PRVWSD submits annually a budget request to the legislature for

approval of expenditures. 2017 actual budget expenditures5 were derived from
PRVWSD’s income from the following sources:

* 41% from lease fees

* 15% from campground rental fees

* 27% from water/sewer service revenue

* 6% miscellaneous fees or grants

* 11% from bond funds for litigation settlement.

As a result of the settlement of the lawsuit Bobby L. Baker, ET AL. V.

PRVWSD, No. 2012-133E6 in Rankin County Chancery Court, the 2016
Legislature appropriated a $1.6 million bond indenture and 2015 the Legislature
appropriated $1.2 million in order to comply with court orders for the repair and
reconstruction of the seawalls in the Sunrise and Paradise Point subdivisions.

5
PRVWSD 2017 Actual Expense Reported, see Exhibit 3
6
Baker, ET AL. v. PRVWSD Settlement Agreement, see Exhibit 4
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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These funds represent the full amount of any appropriations by the State on behalf
of the PRVWSD. The PRVWSD receives no other appropriation funds from the
State of Mississippi.

The PRVWSD’s 2018 $18,209,4407 budget as approved in HB1520

included the following expenditures:

Salary, Wages & Fringe Benefits: $ 5,408,334

Travel: $ 60,000
Contractual Services: $ 3,645,000
Commodities: $ 1,541,000
Capital Outlay: $ 5,864,416
Loan Subsidies and Grants: $ 1,690,000
Total: $ 18,209,440
Reservoir Police accounted for 3.5 percent of the PRVWSD annual budget8.
The median cost of an officer in service in the Greater Jackson metro area is
$55,0009, which only includes salary, benefits, uniform and annual training. The
comparable average cost for a Reservoir Police officer is $41,340.9810, which is 25
percent less than other area law enforcement agencies.
Reservoir Police operates on actual expenditures of $636,035.6611, including
all costs of office supplies, vehicles, firearms, gas, parts, equipment, etc., in
addition to salary, benefits, uniforms, and annual training.
When comparing the Reservoir Police actual expenditure report total and
number of police officers, the PRVWSD expends $57,800 per officer total for

7
HB1520, see Exhibit 1, 1
8
Calculation sheet for 2018 Budget and Police percentage, see Exhibit 5
9
Miss Association of Chiefs of Police correspondence, see Exhibit 6
10
PRVWSD Police Officer cost calculation, see Exhibit 7
11
Reservoir Police 2017 Actual Expenditures Report see Exhibit 8
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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complete police department related expenses. This complete budget expenditure

still has Reservoir Police in line with the expenditures other police forces for
salary, benefits, uniforms and training only.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Operation/staffing of PRVWSD

The PRVWSD consists of 121 personnel PINS covering administration, police,

maintenance, campgrounds, and tower operations.

The legislatively delegated responsibilities of PRVWSD12:

 To provide an adequate, sanitary water supply at all times13
 To provide recreational opportunities14
 Law enforcement15
 Forest management16
 Flood mitigation17
 Economic development18

Services of the PRVWSD (as described by Central Mississippi Planning and

Development District in its Master Plan for PRVWSD in 2012):
 Maintain the reservoir dam and monitor water quality
 Provide a water supply for the City of Jackson, to residents of the PRVWSD,
and the general public
 Provide and maintain recreational opportunities, including walking trails,
campgrounds, boat ramps, marinas, public parks and picnic areas

12
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103, see Exhibit 9
13
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-121(a)&(b), see Exhibit 10
14
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103; 51-9-121(f)(iii); 51-9-125, see Exhibit 11
15
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-171 - §51-9-185, see Exhibit 12
16
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103; 51-9-121(d), see Exhibit 13
17
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103, see Exhibit 14
18
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-121 (f)(iii), see Exhibit 15
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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 Provide law enforcement patrol of the reservoir lake and surrounding land
areas to include its public spaces, parks and residential areas
 Manage approximately 10,000 acres of forest land
 Cooperate with state and federal agencies to mitigate flooding
 Continue with the residential and commercial development of PRVWSD
lands to generate revenues to obtain sustainability of operations.

To fulfill its mission, the PRVWSD operational responsibilities include the

following:

Dam operation
The Barnett Reservoir Dam consists of a three-mile long earthen dam with a
concrete main spillway. The dam is constantly reviewed and inspected to monitor
its condition. Vegetation control and mowing is a constant process along with
erosion repair and repair of damage from vehicles. The lakeside face of the dam is
clad with riprap that has to be inspected and periodically repaired.
A team of trained dam inspectors on staff reviews the dam weekly for any
changed conditions. Barnett Dam is designed to allow seepage as a control of
hydrostatic pressures. Dam inspectors monitor this as an indicator of
condition. Any deviation is brought to the attention of the PRVWSD Chief
Engineer.
River flow has to be routed through the dam in a manner to protect the dam
itself and minimize downstream effects. The spillway control tower is staffed with
a crew of five operators whose job includes spillway flow control and
monitoring. Operators are present 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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The PRVWSD conducts an annual third-party inspection of the dam in

accordance with Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
guidelines. The main dam is surveyed to monitor settlement and geotechnical
engineers inspect conditions of the earthen structures. An annual inspection report
is filed with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
The PRVWSD operates a four-lane regional traffic corridor with bike lanes,
across the dam. It has a traffic count of approximately 30,000 vehicles per day19,
and a one-ton load limit is enforced. Pavement on this roadway has to be replaced
every eight to ten years and repair is a constant task.
Reservoir Police patrols the roads on the dam looking for structural problems
and Homeland Security issues.

Lake operation
The PRVWSD must maintain the navigational channels within the lake, which
require regular dredging. The PRVWSD contracts the dredging to commercial
contractors for large jobs and provides in-house dredging services for smaller
projects.
The PRVWSD must maintain the navigation of the lake and its channels by
spraying aquatic vegetation that threatens safe boating. The PRVWSD also must
monitor and neutralize the growth of invasive species of aquatic vegetation that
will harm the biological balance of the lake and its fisheries.
Reservoir Police is integral to all of the operations of lake management. Police
patrols of the lake are often the first recognize impending issues with any of the
lake operations and notify appropriate staff.

19
MS Department of Transportation Traffic Counts 2016, see Exhibit 16
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Recreation operation
The PRVWSD hosts an estimated 2.5 million visitors annually20, with 1.125
million visiting its parks and 1.1 million lake users. The PRVWSD develops and
maintains its recreational facilities, giving a boost to local and state economies.
According an economic impact report provided to the PRVWSD in 201221,
Timberlake Campground visitors alone contribute over $8 million annually to local
economies.
The PRVWSD is home to a wide array of recreational opportunities that
include:
 4 large day-use parks
 8 neighborhood or mini parks
 5 campground facilities totaling 611 pads
 16 larger public boat ramps
 9 smaller neighborhood boat ramps
 2 public beach areas
 42 miles of multipurpose trails for walking, hiking, and biking
 Disc golf course
 4 ADA accessible kayak launches
 22 miles of river with 25-30 sandbars available for picnicking and camping
 33,000-acre lake for boating and fishing
 3,000-acre wildlife management area
 10,000 acres of public hunting land

20
John C. Stennis Institute of Government report: The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District: An Overview for
Decision-Makers, see Exhibit 2, 28
21
Neel Schaffer economic impact statement for Timberlake 2012, see Exhibit 17
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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 8 pavilions in the parks available for rental

 27 picnic shelters in the parks for public utilization
 31 open picnic tables and grills in the parks for public utilization
 5 public fishing piers (3 handicapped accessible) and jetties
 2 fish cleaning stations
Reservoir Police presence in all aspects of recreation at PRVWSD is critical to
the enjoyment of the facilities. Reservoir Police is an integral factor in the
continued peaceful enjoyment of this state asset, providing a safe environment for
all families and visitors. No other agency can enforce the PRVWSD’s regulations
for park use and lake use. Reservoir Police is the primary provider of policing
services within the PRVWSD’s recreational areas.
Within the operation of the lake, the PRVWSD maintains approximately 300
channel marking navigational aids and over 40 boating operation signs and/or
markers. Reservoir Police is tasked with monitoring the condition and status of
these navigational aids.

Water / sewer services

As the first mission of the PRVWSD, providing a safe, constant supply of
water for the City of Jackson is paramount in lake operations.
The PRVWSD operates four independent water and sewer service systems.
These systems must be maintained and occasionally upgraded to keep up with
normal wear and stress.
New service lines and systems must be constructed to accommodate the
additional water and sewer customers to the PRVWSD as it continues to grow and
develop.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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The PRVWSD currently has seven water storage tanks that service the 10
water wells that access the Sparta Aquifer. These wells require regular monitoring
and service to ensure safe and smooth operation.
The PRVWSD is contracted with Mississippi Major Economic Impact
Authority to operate the water line to the Nissan of America plant located in
Canton. The PRVWSD maintains the water line and ensures constant pressurized
service to the facility.
The PRVWSD provides water/sewer service to 5,200 accounts within the
PRVWSD, including billing and collection of fees.
Reservoir Police provides a daily review of all of the PRVWSD’s assets
including water wells, lift stations, pumps, generators, and tanks. The PRVWSD
also calls on Reservoir Police to assist with emergency traffic control in times of
repair to assets that impact the public roadways.

Leasehold services
The PRVWSD is required to market property for development in order to
generate lease-fee income to fund its operating budget. The PRVWSD currently
services over 6,000 active leases.
In order to keep the property marketable, the PRVWSD must maintain all of
the common areas, rights of way, service lines, etc., to ensure clean appearance and
marketability of the area.
A police presence is vital to the marketability of the PRVWSD. The PRVWSD
currently has the lowest crime rate per capita within Rankin County, and the
Rankin County Undersheriff credits in part the Reservoir Police visibility for that
positive statistic. The PRVWSD’s leaseholders derive a direct benefit from having
a visible, pro-active police presence within the PRVWSD’s properties.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Forestry services
The PRVWSD is tasked with the operation and management of 10,000 acres of
timberland to ensure a viable, long-term source of income for the PRVWSD.
These woodland areas are also utilized for public hunting.
Reservoir Police assists with monitoring forestry areas for illegal hunting,
harvesting or other unlawful activities.

Law enforcement
The PRVWSD is provided by statute22 the authority to provide law
enforcement on all of the property owned by the PRVWSD.
Reservoir Police officers have the authority to enforce state, community,
municipal, and PRVWSD’s laws and regulations. Reservoir Police officers receive
the same academy training as every state, county and municipal law enforcement
officer in Mississippi and have the same authority to make arrests and bear arms
within the jurisdiction.
Also, the Reservoir Police is a member agency of the Mid-Mississippi Strike
Team, a multi-jurisdictional unit that provides emergency response at the direction
of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
Reservoir Police regularly participates in the Federal Transportation
Administration’s VIPER program due to proximity the Jackson-Evers International
Airport and the topography of the PRVWSD’s property.
Reservoir Police is also called upon for rescue and recovery operations
involving boaters on Barnett Reservoir, and is available to assist surrounding
communities and their enforcement agencies in related operations.

22
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-171; 51-9-185, see Exhibit 12
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Operation and staffing of Reservoir Police

Functions and duties

The Reservoir Police department is tasked with serving a unique jurisdiction
that includes land, forest, and water. The officers must be ready to go from police
car to a marine patrol boat and then to an ATV at a moment’s notice. The
PRVWSD officers must be trained to operate any vehicle and handle any
assignment. The average police department or state agency will have divisions
within the department to handle specialized assignments. The PRVWSD officers
must be cross-trained to handle any situation within the parks, on the lake, in
hunting areas, or on roadways.
The Mississippi Legislature passed the Pearl River Valley Water Supply
District Security Officer Law of 1978 (Miss Code Annotated §51-9-171, 51-9-
185), which empowered the PRVWSD to appoint and commission qualified
persons as security officers of the PRVWSD. Reservoir Police officers are
required to meet the training requirements of a fulltime officer as dictated by the
Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Board.
Reservoir Police officers have the authority to enforce state, county, and
municipal laws and PRVWSD regulations on the property of the PRVWSD.
Reservoir Police officers provide law enforcement on all of PRVWSD recreational
facilities, to include campgrounds, parks, boat launches, and fishing areas; the
primary duty is to patrol the public areas of the PRVWSD, but they do provide
some law enforcement services to leaseholders. Reservoir Police officers also
patrol the 33,000-acre water surface of Ross Barnett Reservoir by many different
marine patrol craft to enforce boating and fishing regulations and work in
cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Reservoir Police can be called upon to participate in prolonged rescue/recovery

operations, which, at times, will include the recovery of human remains. These
incidents may occur during all kinds of weather subjecting Reservoir Police
officers to conditions of extreme heat, extreme cold, and hazardous lake
conditions.
Reservoir Police provides public safety for the multiple recreational and
community events held in and around the PRVWSD on an annual basis that attract
thousands of tourists to the area. Reservoir Police is often called upon by the
PRVWSD administration to escort and transport large amounts of cash, which
must be done securely and discreetly.
Security of the infrastructure has always been one of the primary functions of
the Reservoir Police, but after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, homeland security took
on a new meaning. One of the primary reasons of establishing the PRVWSD was
to provide a sustainable water source for the Metro Jackson area23. This function
creates a great need for security and the recognition of certain areas that may be
classified as “hard targets” by terrorist groups. In addition, the campgrounds, and
other recreational areas that draw large numbers of people must be taken into
consideration as possible “soft targets” for a terrorist event. From 2014-2016, the
Reservoir Police worked 103 special events that attracted approximately 150,000
attendees.24 Reservoir Police works closely with the Mississippi Office of
Homeland Security to ensure these areas are protected and monitored on a regular
basis.

23
Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103, see Exhibit 9
24
Listing of 2014, 2015 and 2016 special events, see Exhibit 18
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Reservoir Police is a multi-disciplinary public safety unit that has evolved into
a hybrid organization designed to meet the specific needs and requirements of the
PRVWSD.
The daily operational orders for Reservoir Police include:
 Lock and unlock PRVWSD day-use parks; check assets within the parks.
 Inspect the PRVWSD boat ramps, both the large public and smaller
neighborhood ramps.
 Monitor the spillway dam and also lowhead dam.
 Inspect PRVWSD water towers, pump stations, generators, rights of way,
etc.

Special events and holidays present additional operation directives for the
police department. In 2016 there were 35 special events at the reservoir’s facilities
that required coordination of the police with event staff to ensure such things as
compliance with regulation, patron safety and traffic safety. Special events held at
the reservoir include kayak races, 5K runs, triathlons, car shows, outdoor concerts,
barbecue competitions and holiday celebrations.
Reservoir Police is tasked first with securing PRVWSD assets, but respond to
calls for service as does any police department. Calls for service are wide and
varied in scope. A sampling of calls received in 2017:
 Aggressive drivers
 Suspected drunk drivers
 Suicide (actual and attempted)
 Traffic accidents (property damage, with injuries, hit and run)
 Unrestrained children in vehicles
 Disturbances (both land- and marine-based)
 Distressed boaters
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 Boating accidents
 Disabled vehicles blocking traffic flow
 Traffic assistance with road, power line and streetlight maintenance
 Possession of drugs and paraphernalia
 Domestic disturbances
 Proactive traffic enforcement
 Animal complaints
 Noise complaints
 PRVWSD regulation violations
 Vandalism
 Auto burglary
 Derelict vessels adrift
 Missing persons
 Missing boaters
 Suspicious person/vehicle
 Mentally ill persons
 Intoxicated persons
 Special event security and traffic direction
 Malicious mischief
 Assist other agencies (roadblocks, prisoner transports, etc.)
 Foreign warrants
 Marine traffic direction for special events
 Welfare concern calls
 ATVs in unauthorized areas
 Roadway hazards
 Discharging of firearms
 Overweight vehicle traffic on the dam
 Vehicle parking complaints
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Limitations of Reservoir Police

Reservoir Police is limited geographically to provide law enforcement on all of
the PRVWSD’s recreational facilities and public areas. The PRVWSD has active
interlocal agreements with surrounding municipalities and agencies for mutual
support of law enforcement.
The Reservoir Police Department activities are also curtailed by the Agreed
Final Judgment entered into between the PRVWSD and Hinds and Leake Counties
in 1985 as a result of the lawsuit styled Hinds County et al. v. Pearl River Valley
Water Supply District, In the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds
County, Mississippi, Civil Action No. 118,905. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreed
Final Judgment, the PRVWSD may not provide police or security services to
leaseholders, unless the cost of such services are paid directly by the leaseholders
in a payment other than the annual lease payments. As the PRVWSD has elected
not to charge leaseholders for the cost of police or security services, the PRVWSD
has implemented this Judgment by allowing the Reservoir Police Department to
patrol only those areas that are considered public within the Pearl River Valley
Water Supply District. Such areas would naturally be limited to whatever roads
over which the PRVWSD has control and authority (Northshore Causeway,
Spillway Road, etc.), as well as the PRVWSD’s campgrounds, parks, boat ramps,
and pump stations. The Reservoir Police Department also has the authority to
protect any PRVWSD assets, whether they be located within subdivisions or other
lease property, as well. As a result of the Agreed Final Judgment, the Reservoir
Police Department does not patrol any properties under lease, such as subdivisions
or condominium developments as part of a routine patrol schedule. The Reservoir
Police Department does maintain a visible presence in those areas through its
maintenance and routine patrol of PRVWSD assets, such as boat ramps, pump
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
Page 23

stations, etc., but given the constraints of the Agreed Final Judgment does not
patrol private subdivisions or other properties under lease. For more information
on the circumstances of the Hinds County v. Pearl River Valley Water Supply
District lawsuit, the reader is referred to the Stennis Report25.

25
John C. Stennis Institute of Government report: The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District: An Overview for
Decision-Makers, see Exhibit 2, 16
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Impact of entering agreements with other state agencies

and/or law enforcement authorities to provide the functions
of Reservoir Police

PRVWSD contacted 18 surrounding law enforcement agencies and state

agencies to inquire on the willingness of those agencies to enter into agreements to
provide some or all of the functions of Reservoir Police. Fourteen responded with a
resounding “no.”
A polling was sent to the following criminal justice agencies26 that have
interaction or share jurisdiction with the Reservoir Police:
Rankin County Sheriff’s Department
Madison County Sheriff’s Department
Scott County Sheriff’s Department
Leake County Sheriff’s Department
Hinds County Sheriff’s Department
Mississippi Department of Public Safety/ MHP
Madison/Rankin County District Attorney
TSA Federal Security Division
FBI- Mississippi Division
Madison County Prosecutor
Rankin County Prosecutor
Mississippi Office of Homeland Security
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

26
Public Safety Partners Survey, see Exhibit 19
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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MDOT, Law Enforcement Division

Madison Police Department
Flowood Police Department
Ridgeland Police Department

The results of this survey are made a part of this report to provide direct
information regarding services provided, financial impacts on other agencies, and
other benefits derived from the working relationship between the Reservoir Police
and other law enforcement agencies.

Intergovernmental agreements
The aspect of PRVWSD replacing the Reservoir Police with interlocal
agreements with other state agencies was also addressed in the form of a question
of interest by other law enforcement agencies: Would your agency have any
interest in entering into an interlocal agreement with PRVWSD to take over the
public safety duties now performed by the Reservoir Police?
Thirteen agencies answered “No” and one agency skipped the question. This
response, along with the fact that any agreement signed by a sitting governing
board can be nullified or discontinued, would place PRVWSD in a precarious
position of looking to provide any long-term stable public safety and security given
the services required.

Also, as noted in the survey responses and in correspondence from Rankin

County Sheriffs Department and Ridgeland Police Department27, the costs
involved for these agencies to acquire and maintain the personnel, resources and

27
Correspondence from Rankin County Sheriff’s Department and Ridgeland Police Department, see Exhibit 20
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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equipment to assume Reservoir Police functions, would make an agreement

financially undesirable not only to those agencies but also to PRVWSD. Since
those cities and counties lack the budget to cover those costs, PRVWSD would be
obligated to help cover those expenses, likely at a rate substantially higher than
their current annual budget for the Reservoir Police.

Any assumption of police duties by county or city agencies on PRVWSD

property would not remedy the void left for the enforcement of specific rules and
regulations established by PRVWSD for its parks and waters.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Financial and societal benefits of Reservoir Police

Accountability
A key aspect of PRVWSD benefit of having its own law enforcement agency is
accountability. Reservoir Police is accountable for action or inaction to PRVWSD
and its citizens. If policing services were to be divided among surrounding
agencies, PRVWSD would no longer have the ability to ensure accountability of
the enforcement of its regulations.

Continuity of jurisdiction
Reservoir Police provides continuity of jurisdiction through the five counties
contained within the PRVWSD’s 50,000 acres. If policing services were assigned
to surrounding agencies, a very real disconnect in the continuity of application of
PRVWSD regulations would exist. There would be no way to ensure that all five
surrounding counties would be able to provide the same uniform level of patrol,
support and enforcement on PRVWSD property.

Vested interest
Reservoir Police holds a vested interest to the community in which it serves
and prioritizes services to PRVWSD. If intergovernmental agreements were to be
entered into for providing Reservoir Police’s public safety duties, the agencies
would not and could not give priority service to PRVWSD.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Financial
With the cost of an officer in service in the metro area at a median annual cost
of $55,00028, the Reservoir Police staffs its officers at an annual cost of
$41,450.98. In polling other agencies for an estimated cost of assuming the public
safety duties of Reservoir Police, it was found that those agencies would require
significant funding. One law enforcement agency stated it would require an
additional $1.1 million to cover the costs, which is nearly twice the Reservoir
Police operational budget.

Societal benefits
A good definition of societal benefit is the increase in the availability of
resources, and presence of conditions required for the reasonably comfortable,
healthy, and secure living of a society derived from a particular course of action.
It is very difficult to place an analytical number on perception and feelings of
wellbeing or distress. It was decided the best avenue to gauge the societal benefits
for leaseholders, tourists, visitors and other parties of interest was to go directly to
these individuals by way of a polling. We also believed it important to go directly
to leaseholders for their input. Therefore, a poll was developed taking input from
the PRVWSD Board of Directors, Reservoir Police and other interested parties and
sent directly to leaseholders to gather credible feedback in the areas of operation
and function that involved the Reservoir Police29.
The following reflects the actual responses:

28
Miss Assn of Chiefs of Police correspondence, see Exhibit 6
29
PRVWSD Patrol Survey for Public Response, see Exhibit 22
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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On a scale of 1 to 100 please rate the importance of having the Reservoir

Police Department.
The average response on the scale was 77, which indicates the belief that
Reservoir Police is an integral part of PRVWSD’s function, and that public safety
is high priority of the respondents.

Do you believe the services provided by Reservoir Police have an impact

on crime rates in and around the reservoir?
This also was rated on a scale of 1-100 with the average of responses being a
72. Uniform crime reports prepared by Reservoir Police for the Department of
Justice indicate that crime is not impacting the quality of life for the individuals
serviced by Reservoir Police. The lack of crime is a true indicator of the service
provided by a law enforcement agency. Many times, an organization’s work such
as number of arrests, number of calls for service, and number of offenses reported
are used to show how effective an agency is, but the true indicator of an
organization’s worth is the absence of crime.

Please rate the impact on public safety and the security of the reservoir if
Reservoir Police was no longer funded.
On a scale of 1-100 the rating was 70, that it would have a negative impact on
public safety and security. This number goes to the feeling of being safe and
secure, which is sometimes an elusive element to gauge because it is a perception
and not always readily identifiable as to why people feel safe or unsafe in their
communities. This number gives an indication that leaseholders have the
perception that the Reservoir Police has a positive impact of public safety.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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What impact does the Reservoir Police have on boating safety?

On a scale of 1-100 the average from respondents was a 76. Boating safety is
an integral part of the services performed by Reservoir Police. The water patrol
works closely with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, not
only in dealing with boating safety but also other events such as fishing
tournaments, alligator hunting season, and the other special events that are offered
either on or over the reservoir.
It should be noted that the other law enforcement agencies with concurrent
jurisdiction have indicated this would be a major financial burden on their
organization if Reservoir Police’s water patrol were eliminated.

What impact does the presence of Reservoir Police have on traffic

conditions and movement?
On a scale of 1-100, the average from respondents was 63. Reservoir Police
provides most of the traffic enforcement along the dam and spillway.

Comments
The survey included a section for comments. The comments received are
included within Exhibit 22.
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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Conclusion
The information gathered for this report does give a clear indication Reservoir
Police provides a function that cannot be replaced by merely entering into
interlocal agreement with other government agencies30. The unique
responsibilities of the organization make it a necessity in the overall operation and
continued security of the infrastructure and safety of the leaseholders, visitors and
tourists who frequent this great asset of the State of Mississippi.

30
Public Safety Partners Survey, see Exhibit 23
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EXHIBITS
Table of Attachments:

1. MS House Bill 1520

2. John C. Stennis Institute of Government Report: The Pearl River Valley
Water Supply District: An Overview for Decision-Makers
3. PRVWSD 2017 Actual Budget Expenditures Report
4. Baker, ET AL. v. PRVWSD No. 2012-133E Settlement Agreement
5. Calculation sheet for 2018 Budget and Police percentage
6. Miss Association of Chiefs of Police letter dated October 27, 2017
7. PRVWSD Police Budget Calculation sheet
8. Reservoir Police 2017 Actual Expenditures Report
9. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103
10. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-121(a) & (b)
11. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103; 51-9-121(f)(iii); 51-9-125
12. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-171 - §51-9-185
13. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103; 51-9-121(d)
14. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-103
15. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-121(f)(iii)
16. Miss Department of Transportation Traffic Count 2016
17. Neel Schaffer economic impact statement for Timberlake Campground
2012
18. List of Special Events of 2014, 2015 and 2016
19. Public Safety Partners Survey
20. Correspondence from Rankin County Sheriffs Department and Ridgeland
Police Department
Analysis of Staffing and Manpower Allocation of the PRVWSD Police Department
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21. Miss. Code Ann. §51-9-176

22. PRVWSD Patrol Poll for Public Safety Responses
23. Letters and resolutions of support of Reservoir Police from surrounding
governments and agencies