PEER reviewed the Commissioner of Public Safety’s proposed administrative merger of the Bureau of Narcotics and Department of Public Safety and concluded that Mississippi statutes create an unclear relationship between the two entities. Although the commissioner’s administrative merger plan probably exceeds statutory limitations, many merger components would be within statutory authority if the department avoided specified limitations.
The commissioner’s proposed administrative merger would achieve some cost savings and more efficient use of personnel However, much could be achieved without the full administrative merger. The administrative merger would not necessarily damage the bureau’s identity and enforcement effectiveness, but would make the bureau more vulnerable to political interference and domination by the Highway Patrol than is possible under its current semi-autonomous status.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.