Aldermen approved changes to the Winona Police Department during their regular meeting on Tuesday.
Police Chief Roshaun Daniels requested the board hire Patrick Mitchell, a certified officer from Kosciusko, effective Thursday.
Board members voted all in favor of hiring Mitchell on the motion made by Alderman Mickey Austin, which was seconded by Travis Johnson.
Daniels then asked the board to hire Tristan Packet, an uncertified officer from Winona, effective Aug. 9.
Alderman Charles Harris made the motion to hire Packet, which was seconded by Austin. Aldermen voted all in favor of the hire.
Board members also approved the promotion of officers currently working in the department.
They voted unanimously to promote B.J. Edwards from sergeant to lieutenant, effective Aug. 3. Harris made the motion to promote Edwards, and Austin seconded.
Daniels then requested board members approve promoting Denzil Bigbee from patrolman to sergeant, effective Aug. 3.
Board members unanimously approved on Austin’s motion, which was seconded by Harris.
Then they accepted the resignations of Tanerika Williams and Eddie Washington, effective July 17.
In other board news:
• Daniels announced Assistant Chief Calvin Young will retire from the department on July 31.
• Board members agreed to pay $2,000 from tourism tax to acquire a historical marker from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to honor Emmitt Till’s getting off the train in Winona prior to his visit with family, leading to him murder.
• Mayor Aaron Dees discussed changing street light bulbs throughout the city from traditional to LED.
