On Friday, June 17, nine Code Enforcement Officers will be deputized by Sheriff David Davis. The swearing in will take place at 11:00 a.m. at the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center (668 Oglethorpe Street).

The officers have already gone through law enforcement training and have been Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) certified in their roles with other agencies. Under Georgia law, this will allow the code enforcement officers to enforce certain code including seizing abandoned vehicles and writing and serving warrants to enter properties and look for code violations.

“This will allow us more flexibility in addressing code violations,” says Code Enforcement Director J.T. Ricketson. “It allows for different approaches towards fighting blight on multiple fronts such as attacking abandoned houses, commercial buildings, illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, and hoarded properties.”

“This effort ties into our mission of strengthening Code Enforcement so they have the legal authority to take on issues such as abandoned cars, and free up deputy time to fight violent crime,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “We are proud of this department for taking their role with Team Macon-Bibb very seriously.”

“Having these officers sworn through the sheriff’s office removes any legal doubt that they are truly a law enforcement officer who can respond to any criminal or disruptive incidents,” says Sheriff David Davis. “Being deputized brings continuity to the law enforcement and will help them make any necessary criminal cases in instances of serious blight.”