Retired Vicksburg police officer and state Attorney General’s investigator Tabitha Martin-Crawford has been hired as the city’s COVID-19 compliance officer, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said.

Flaggs said Friday her selection was based on “her experience as a law enforcement officer and her personality.”

Martin-Crawford’s hiring was approved at Friday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

He said the city wants to take an educational stance “rather than a punitive stance in regard to local businesses complying with the city’s COVID-19 executive orders.

“We believe Tabitha Martin-Crawford will be a great asset to the city in this respect.”

Martin-Crawford will work 20 hours a week at $25 an hour.

In addition to providing additional security in the mayor’s office, Martin-Crawford will also make sure businesses and other facilities are adhering to the COVID-19 emergency orders. Flaggs said earlier this week the compliance officer will first issue a warning to those not abiding by the orders, then, if they continue to violate the orders, a citation of $1,000 would be issued.