MBN CLOSES TRAINING SITE, LOOKS TO HIGHWAY PATROL

Director of bureau says 2-year-old academy a waste of money By Emily Wagster
Pettus Associated Press Writer

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics has closed its training academy and is
now sending new recruits to the Highway Patrol training school, MBN Director
Frank Melton said.

Melton, who has led the bureau since December, told legislators Wednesday it
was a waste of money for the bureau to have its own academy, which opened
two years ago.

He said the last class to go through the MBN school was all white.

"That was not acceptable," Melton said.

He said three MBN agents - two white and one black - are now going through
training at the Highway Patrol academy.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, said he had
been trying to get MBN to send its agents back to the Highway Patrol
training center.

Melton said he needs a diverse group of agents on the streets, including men
and women and people of different races. Melton also said he hopes to
recruit people fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese.

He and Department of Public Safety Director David Huggins appeared together
before the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to make spending requests for
fiscal 2005, which starts next July 1.

The 14-member committee is hearing budget wish lists throughout September,
and the entire 174-member Legislature will get to vote on detailed spending
plans in the spring.

Some lawmakers praised Melton and Huggins for appearing together.

Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, said it had been years since the Bureau of
Narcotics and the Department of Public Safety leaders had worked in tandem.

Melton asked lawmakers to give MBN enough money to fill all 225 of its
authorized jobs. He said 178 jobs are filled now.

Melton said he would hire new street-level agents if he gets permission to
fill all the jobs, and that he would not hire new managers.

He said it would cost $9.2 million for salaries to keep 131 agents and 47
civilians working at MBN, and it would cost $10.7 million go move up to 178
agents and 47 civilians.

The Department of Public Safety did not ask to fill any additional jobs.

The Department of Public Safety is requesting more money for operating
expenses next year, but Huggins acknowledged financial times are tight.

"You haven't seen nor will you see us crying about what we do not have,
although we may have a little silent prayer at the end of the day," Huggins
said.