The Meridian Police Department recently made several promotions within its ranks. Eight of the department’s officers advanced their law enforcement careers.

“We have a really young department; I saw this an opportunity to take the department in a positive direction,” Meridian Police Chief Benny Dubose said.

According to Dubose, each officer’s promotion was based on their past performance as well as the respect they have earned from their fellow officers.

Among the promotions were two female officers – Heather Luebbers and Deborah Young – who, according to Dubose, were both “shocked” about their career advancements.

“Even today, police work is often seen as a man’s profession,” the police chief said. “Both (Luebbers and Young) have demonstrated that they are quite capable of not only leading the department, but also having the respect of their peers.”

Promoted were:

• Jay Arrington, promoted to captain. Arrington, who has been a member of the Meridian Police Department since 1995, has been recognized as Officer of the Year and is a member of the DUI 100, 200 and 300 Club. He is a graduate of Meridian High School and Meridian Community College. Arrington has three children.

• William Brunelle, promoted to sergeant. Brunelle, who has been a member of MPD since 1993, also serves as SWAT commander. He is a graduate of Meridian High School and East Mississippi Community College. Brunelle has two children.

• John Griffith, promoted to captain. Griffith, who has served 20 years in law enforcement (13 years with the Meridian Police Department), has been recognized as Officer of the Year twice. He is a graduate of Quitman High School, Jones County Junior College and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is married and has a son.

• James LaGoy, promoted to sergeant. LaGoy, who has been a member of the Meridian Police Department six years, graduated from high school in Los Angeles, Calif., and served in the military.

• Heather Luebbers, promoted to sergeant. Luebbers has been a member of the Meridian Police Department six years. She is a graduate of Newton County High School.

• Chris Scott, promoted to sergeant. Scott has served 21 years with the Meridian Police Department. He is a graduate of West Kemper High School. He is married and the father of one.

• Dareall Thompson, promoted to sergeant. Thompson, who has served 16 years with MPD, has been recognized as Officer of the Year and as No. 1 in the state for child safety restraint. He is a graduate of Meridian High School and Meridian Community College. Thompson is married to Kimberly Taylor Thompson and has three children.

• Deborah Young, promoted to lieutenant. Young has served 18 years with the Meridian Police Department. She is a graduate of Meridian High School and attended Meridian Community College. She is the mother of two.

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland recognized the officers as “an exceptional group of men and women.”

“These eight officers showed exemplary leadership skills, as well as the ability to produce results,” Bland said. “We are proud of all of our officers and thankful for the job that they do protecting and serving the citizens of Meridian.”