NATCHEZ — Aldermen voted Monday to create a policy to prohibit off-duty police officers from serving as security officers at bars and clubs.

Natchez Police Department Chief Walter Armstrong said when coming to Natchez he learned officers in their secondary employment as club security were wearing their uniforms.

“I believe it to be a liability issue when they are doing so,” Armstrong said. “I have not found anything from this board giving them the OK to do such.”

Alderman Dan Dillard said this issue has come up before, and that he agreed with chief Armstrong.

“If they are going to be working a secondary job, they cannot be wearing any insignia,” he said. “If you look and see a Natchez officer in uniform sitting and watching a patron go out they know has a potential to be danger to the public, I think that gives mixed signals there.”

Dillard was referring to a patron leaving intoxicated and getting in a vehicle and driving. Armstrong said club owners would not hire officers to do these jobs if they were engaging with people who are leaving the establishment under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Armstrong said in Vicksburg, where he had previously been chief, officers were allowed to have part-time jobs, but not at nightclubs or bars. Armstrong said they could work at other places, but not in their uniform.

Former police officer and Alderman Billie Joe Frazier said historically this was allowed for officers to supplement their income, but Frazier said times have changed.

“We are dealing with a whole new set of people,” Frazier said. “Everything has changed. I have 100-percent confidence in the recommendation you (Armstrong) bring.”