AFTER WEEKS OF speculation on whether he would be approved, the city of Jackson now has a new police chief.

A packed Jackson City Council chamber erupted into applause Monday afternoon as the council voted 4 to 2 to approve Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin as the city’s new top police officer Now, McMillin will wear two hats, one as sheriff and one as the city’s police chief.

Many Northsiders are pleased with the vote and believe the sheriff has already made a difference in Jackson. Belmont Trapp, the secretary of Precinct Four’s Community Oriented Policing group and co-founder of Our Fondren, was one of those cheering the sheriff on Monday.

“All I can say is ‘it’s wonderful,’” Trapp said after the council meeting. “It’s the best thing that can happen to the city. The city needed new leadership in the chief’s role. We haven’t felt safe and secure in a long time. This man has the leadership ability we need.”

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton recently appointed McMillin after the previous chief, Shirlene Anderson, came under fire for her lack of leadership. After the appointment, questions arose on whether it was legal for him to serve as Hinds County sheriff and Jackson police chief.

An opinion issued by state Attorney General Jim Hood’s office opined that it was legal. Melton and McMillin have also signed a memorandum of understanding.

MCMILLIN SAID ON Monday that he was pleased with the vote and is anxious to continue work. The new chief said he will reevaluate manpower and ensure that officers have the equipment needed to do the job. He said new officers could be appointed to Precinct Four to help with the crime.

He’s also appointed a command staff, which includes former Precinct Four Cmdr. Ron Sampson, who now serves as a deputy chief.

Council members Jeff Weill, Frank Bluntson, Charles Tillman and Margaret Barrett-Simon voted in favor of the appointment. Council members Leslie McLemore and Kenneth Stokes voted against him. Councilman Marshand Crisler, who works for the sheriff, recused himself from the vote.

“The appointment is fine and legal,” Ward One Councilman Weill said. “He’s the finest law enforcement officer in Hinds County and Jackson and he is well positioned to run both departments. He will run (JPD) like he has successfully run the sheriff’s department.”

Despite his supporters and record in law enforcement, McMillin still had detractors. And, he still faced stiff questioning from the council during Monday’s public hearing, ranging from JPD’s larger budget to combining department services.

The sheriff department’s budget of $19 million is roughly half of the city’s law enforcement budget, which sits at about $46 million. McMillin made it clear that he could handle the job.

Ward Three Councilman Kenneth Stokes, who has been very vocal about not supporting the sheriff, asked McMillin what he would do to stop narcotics and prostitution in his ward. Stokes questioned the sheriff’s age. McMillin is in his 60s.

McMillin responded. “I can assure you that is one of my first items we will take care of tomorrow (Tuesday). I’ll provide the same type of service to your ward that I provide to others,” he said, working to reassure the councilman. “You point it out (the problem) and we’ll take care of it.”

Stokes, though, reiterated his point. “I said it before, ‘H—- no,’ I’m not going to vote for him.”

On Monday, McMillin had to answer other questions from the council as well. Ward Seven Councilwoman Barrett-Simon said the sheriff needed to sign an interlocal agreement between the city and the county.

Doing so, she said, would better define his responsibilities, which department services would be streamlined and what the best use of his powers would be. It would also ensure that the department’s budget would be wisely spent.

MCMILLIN, SHE SAID, still has to sign an interlocal agreement and present it to the council. Despite not presenting an interlocal agreement, McMillin has already been hard at work.

He has worked to heighten patrolling in Fondren, following a recent shooting at a store there. On December 1, Donnie Register, the owner of The Antique Market on North State Street, was shot by an armed black male after he and an accomplice entered the store and demanded money.

Register, whose story made national news, was saved when the bullet broke apart after hitting his wedding band.

Officers on horseback have been assigned to patrol the area, Trapp said. Plus, she pointed to the recent arrest in the case by the Jackson Police Department. About a week after the shooting, Michael Allen was arrested and charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault.

At the time of publication, police were still searching for a second suspect. She believes the first suspect wouldn’t have been caught this early under the previous leadership.

John Lewis, president of the Greater Belhaven Security Association, said he’s also pleased with the appointment. Lewis, a 20-year Jackson resident, has tracked the sheriff’s career.

He said his most recent work in Fondren is a sign that he is the right man for the job. “He won’t play,” he said. “He responds in strength and will have a presence there.”