Vicksburg’s police force grew to 75 sworn officers Monday with Latridia Chambers, Lawanda Mallett and Christopher Tankesly taking their oaths.

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman, in the absence of vacationing Mayor Laurence Leyens, conducted the ceremony.

The Vicksburg Police Department fields about 30 fewer officers than it did in 2001, when Chief Tommy Moffett took over. While the city had more than 100 on the payrolls, a study showed about 86 as a full complement.

The department is back up to 75 with Monday’s hiring and four officers hired in June.

Also Monday, Beauman and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield voted for a budget amendment to move $12,000 to replace equipment stolen from the Parks and Recreation Department.

A riding mower valued at $9,600, chainsaws and other maintenance items were stolen June 20 from a storage building at Halls Ferry Park.

Two other budget amendments were also made.