Macon police chief finally certified after year in office

MACON - Though he has been police chief of Macon for a year, Rodney Monroe was not eligible to make an arrest, carry a gun or even wear a police uniform. <br> <br> But that has changed since Monroe completed Georgia&#39;s standards and training certification for officers last week. He will officially graduate from the program June 21st. <br> <br> Monroe said, ``It was a long road. I&#39;m just glad it&#39;s done. I&#39;ve got arrest powers now. Before, I couldn&#39;t even make traffic stops.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Monroe has at least 260 hours of training since his swearing-in last June. In addition to the 200 training hours he needed to become certified, he passed a required 60-hour course in November for police chiefs. <br> <br> Monroe wore his uniform for the first time at a funeral last week for police Major Willie Billue and his wife, Shirley Billue.