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NEWS
Under this “open records” legislation, law enforcement entities would release an Incident Report of an alleged crime committed in a community after an arrest occurs. According to the bill, a narrative description of the alleged offense which would include at a minimum the name and identification of each person charged or arrested; the time, date, location of offense, property involved, vehicles involved, and the names of the investigating officers. SB 2728 also makes clear the distinction between an incident report and an investigative report. This distinction was key so that law enforcement techniques and investigations would not be compromised. The Mississippi Press Association, Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police, and Mississippi Sheriff’s Association have all agreed to the legislation that now heads to the House for consideration. Lt. Governor Bryant a former Deputy Sheriff stated, “This legislation clarifies the difference between an investigative report and an incident report. At the same time it provides the public additional information on crimes committed in their community. I appreciate the work of all the groups involved to help pass this monumental piece of open records legislation” About Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant Phil Bryant was sworn-in as Mississippi’s Lieutenant Governor on January 10, 2008 after capturing 59% of the vote in the November election. He started his career in public service as a Hinds County Deputy Sheriff and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 59 in Rankin County in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. Bryant was appointed State Auditor by the late Governor Kirk Fordice and re-elected overwhelmingly in 1999 and without opposition in 2003. ### |
