The Statesboro Police Department no longer will provide funeral procession escorts unless conducted by off-duty officers who will charge for their service. The change is due to an increased need for “essential police services,” said Deputy Chief Rob Bryan, and follows a study that found officers were tied up a great deal with funerals when they were needed elsewhere. The new policy went into effect Jan. 1 after city and police officials met with local funeral homes in December to explain the decision.