JACKSON, Mississippi -- Actor Dan Aykroyd has been sworn in as a reserve deputy with the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, according to a report in the Clarion-Ledger.

Aykroyd is in Mississippi for his role in the movie "Get On Up," the film about the life of singer James Brown.

Aykroyd plays the part of Ben Bart, Brown's manager for four decades.

The movie is scheduled to premier in October.

Aykroyd filled out a request to join the reserve unit and his request was granted.

"My family fell in love with this state on the last trip down here," he said, adding that his wife is from Tennessee and Virginia and feels a Southern kinship with Mississippians. His daughter, a correspondent on Bluesmobile Radio, has been all over the state interviewing its residents.

Aykroyd also said he wants to work to bring more attention to the needs of law enforcement agencies.

"A lot of departments can't even afford ammunition for practice; it's that kind of tiny little challenge that you never think of," he said. "We're going to be aware of that and aware of maybe doing some programs and some fundraisers to supplement the resources of the department here."