Officials are offering state law enforcement officers a one-time bonus for the work they have done throughout the pandemic. Around 1,750 state law enforcement officers are receiving this hazard pay, including those from the Bureau of Narcotics, Highway Patrol and Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The payments will come from federal CARES Act funding through the Governor’s office.
Trooper Craig James with Mississippi Highway Patrol says he is grateful to have this extra bonus to get through the holidays.
“It’s very humbling that the governor would have thought about us at this time of year to give us this money to help offset some of the costs that come with the holiday season,” says James. “It will help out tremendously. My wife has been picking up extra shifts. Maybe she can knock that back a little bit with this money.”
Trooper James says despite the pandemic, he has continued to do his job as normal, aside from having to wear masks to prevent coronavirus transmission.
Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell says around 50 law enforcement officers statewide have died from the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic nearly two years ago. He says their sacrifices will not be forgotten and he hopes the death benefits being received by their families will be extended.
“When this COVID-19 started coming out, and there were so many unknown variables, they answered the call each and every day because it’s not a job that sleeps. It’s not a job that can work remotely. They show up and they put it on the line, and a lot of them have made the ultimate sacrifice,” says Tindell. “So I can tell you in talking with law enforcement officers from across the state, it weighs not only on them, but their family, and it’s been a very difficult and trying time.”
The governor says these benefits will cost about $2.4 million dollars, and the state will cover the cost of fringe benefits to ensure each officer receives the full $1 thousand dollar bonus. The hazard pay should be distributed to officers before the end of the year.
