The badges, emblems and stripes represent more than the achievement of two Selma Police Department officers. They represent leadership.

Former officers Sam Miller and Doug Stewart became sergeants at a Tuesday ceremony in the Performing Arts Center. Police Chief Robert Green handed the men their badges of rank and congratulated them on their advancement.

Green said that Miller and Stewart had been sworn in when they joined the police department, but he gave them a new oath on Tuesday. Both men gave brief remarks after taking the oath.

Stewart also thanked his family for their support. Stewart is married to Kim Stewart. They have three children – Trey, 15, Miranda, 11, and Emily, 10.

Miller thanked his family and ranking officers. &uot;I hope I can step up and make you proud,&uot; he said. &uot;Thank you.&uot;

Miller is married to Rhonda Miller. His parents are Sam and Gretchel Miller.

Both Stewart and Miller took a test, which included written and role-playing portions, before attaining the rank of sergeant. According to Stewart, the role-playing portion mirrored a typical encounter that could occur during his shift.

The written portion included law questions. &uot;A lot of it you encountered on the streets,&uot; he said.

Stewart has been an officer with the police department for 16 years. He’s a member of the department’s traffic division, and it’s not expected his duties will change due to his promotion. &uot;I want to actively work with officers in my division,&uot; he said.

Miller has been with the department for about five years and is a member of the patrol division. Officers in his division are assigned to different areas of Selma. Supervisors such as himself will implement the plans of higher ranking officers. &uot;If something needs to be answered, that’s the role of the sergeant,&uot; he said.

Miller and Stewart’s promotions raise the number of officer vacancies to about six to eight. Green said that whenever he has vacancies, he works hard to fill them.