THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The eight new Selma police cars have been put into service, and officers

have been told what not to do with them.

While the search for a new chief extends into its fifth month, the 36 Selma

police officers working the streets are continuing to train. Lt. John Brock the cleaning of service weapons and offered advice on how to manage take-home vehicles.

“It’s okay to stop at Wal Mart on the way home and pick up a gallon of milk, but don’t stop and park in the handicapped zone,” Brock said. “People are looking for that.”

Brock said citizens like to see the police cruisers parked in their neighborhoods, telling officers about “a little old lady” who lived near him that had a problem when he got a promotion.

“She didn’t like that. She came over and told me she liked it better when I had the other car.”

Brock, who also serves as one of the department’s firearms instructors, cautioned officers about their dress codes &045; especially if they plan to use their cruisers off duty.

“If you want to drive your car to the store, or wherever, it’s alright. You just need to be dressed appropriate,&8221; he said. “Don’t leave home in a tank top, flip flops and shorts because you’re going to get flagged down.&8221;

Somebody’s going to need a jump and you’ll be out on the side of the road

dressed like you’re going to the beach.”

Brock said police should always have their guns and badges on their persons

when they go out in public, which explains why they’re issued slip-on

holsters and their badges have clips.

He also cautioned patrolmen not to just drive by “because there’s numbers on

each car, and somebody’s going to report you.”

The department’s aging fleet was upgraded last year when city officials

purchased 11 new police cars. There had been complaints from citizens and

officers about their ill-equipped vehicles &045; some didn’t have video cameras

or shotguns. Some ran hot, with hanging side-view mirrors.

Officer’s met in rotating classes in the training room for the hour-long

sessions, making sure their weapons worked properly, turning in old ammo and

picking up new rounds.

Next week police must qualifying with their .40 caliber Glock service

weapons, firing on moving targets and testing their night shooting

proficiency. The old rounds will be used for the training.