From staff reports

The Columbus Police Department has added an apology for the actions of four of its officers at the center of an incident Tuesday at Vicksburg National Military Park.

In a statement, the department said an internal investigation continues into the matter. Four officers were reported to park rangers for playing loud music and using flashers to deter visitors from approaching a the police cruiser in which they were riding.

No citation was issued to the officers, park officials said, because the matter was treated as an educational stop that asks a visitor to cease inappropriate behavior. The The National Park Service has jurisdiction over the federal property and can enforce federal, state and city statutes. Chief Joseph St. John has also said no criminal activity was reported by park officials.

The four officers, who have not been identified by the department, were ordered back to Columbus by Chief Joseph St. John, according to a release issued Saturday.

“Chief St. John and the officers of the Columbus Police Department offer a public apology for any embarrassment it’s officers caused,” department spokesman Terrie K. Songer said.

The four officers were part of a contingent of law enforcement officers from around the state in Vicksburg this week for a conference of S.T.O.R.M., or Sobriety Trained Officers Representing Mississippi, made up of more than 200 agencies who convene on issues pertaining to DUI detection and apprehension.

A statement from the organization said an apology to the supervising park ranger and to the citizens of Vicksburg was to be issued by the officers, who departed the conference Wednesday afternoon.