Department of Public Safety

The Jackson State University Department of Public Safety was organized under legislative authority granted by Senate Bill No. 1710, approved 1962.  The Department’s powers and responsibilities are described in the Higher Education Laws of the State of Mississippi.

The JSU Department of Public Safety  is located on the campus of Jackson State University behind the JSU Student Center.  We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The number for the department is 601-979-2580.  The JSU Police Department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Police officers are certified and receive their training through the Jackson Police Training Academy, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy, and the Southern Regional Public Safety Institute.  Police officers receive in-service training throughout the calendar year.  Additional on and off-site training is conducted by the department in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies.

The department is currently staffed with 46 employees, which includes (16) certified police officers and (16) security officers.  

The department’s rank structure includes the Chief of Police,  Operations Captain, Administrative Captain, (4) Lieutenants, and (4) Sergeants.

Support staff includes an Emergency Manager, (2) System Information Specialists, (1) investigator, (6) state certified dispatchers, (1) Receptionist, (1) Clery Compliance Officer, (1) Special Events Coordinator, and an Office Manager.  

The department’s professionally trained police and security officers are dedicated to providing customer friendly services to the campus community.  Officers patrol the campus by foot, bicycles, and in vehicles.  Several officers and supervisors are on duty 24 hours a day.  The Communications Unit is staffed with well trained and certified dispatchers who answer calls for service.  Dispatchers are responsible for dispatching officers and other emergency personnel to incidents.