NATCHEZ — Copiah Lincoln Community College is giving its students the opportunity to help the City of Natchez.

Starting in the fall, Co-Lin will be offering introduction to criminal justice. The class is designed to give students a basic knowledge of jobs in the law enforcement realm.

“There is a serious shortage of police officers on a national scale, and my hope is that this class will elicit some interest,” Dean Teresa Harrison said.

If turnout is large, a criminal justice curriculum will be considered, Harrison said.

“There has been a lot of support from community leaders as well as students,” Harrison said. “I think that everyone one realizes what this class can bring to Natchez.”

And one of the biggest supporters is Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins.

“It is a fantastic idea, I am glad Co-Lin is going to offer it in our community,” Mullins said.

Mullins and Harrison both agreed the program should offer Natchez relief from the police shortage.

“I believe this class could potentially give us a greater pool of applicants for the police force,” Mullins said.

He said the need for local police officers is key.

“I have found that it is a lot easier to hire and train locals because they know the community, the people and the streets,” Mullins said.

Mullins is eager to see the idea take off.