We are proud to be a part of a dynamic university in a growing region. Although we have been providing law enforcement and public safety services to the university community for over thirty years, many individuals are not aware of who we are and the role we play in supporting the University’s mission.
In the 1960s, Mississippi State University, like many other major universities and colleges, recognized the need to upgrade its security force to one that could deal with the social dynamics of the era. The emergence of civil unrest, the assertion of individual rights, and the changing nature of crime on campus were issues that were beyond the scope of the traditional security force. To address these and similar problems and support the university’s mission of providing quality education, research, and service, it was necessary to transform the security force into a professional police department.
The Mississippi State University Police Department is comprised of professional commissioned police officers and support staff. MSUPD officers receive the same level of training as municipal and county law enforcement officers. Officers are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of training at a regional police academy to become certified as a police officers in the state of Mississippi. Additionally, new officers are required to complete a twelve-week field training program in which they learn to apply their law enforcement academy training to a university environment.
MSUPD officers are authorized to carry firearms to enforce laws and make arrests on University property and adjacent roadways. MSUPD works closely with the Starkville Police Department, Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol to enhance the safety and security of members of the university community and the surrounding area. The Department also works closely with the Dean of Students and the Housing Department in enforcing the Student Code of Conduct.
The MSU Police Department is a full-service agency that is available 24 hours a day, throughout the year. The Department works towards building partnerships with the university community to provide a safer environment with such programs and services as Cops-on-Bikes, Resident Hall Adopt-a-Cop, Operation Identification, R.A.D. Program, Community Police Officers, and Safe Walk. The Police Department may be contacted at 662.325.2121 for information or requests for services.
The Department is also responsible for the enforcement of parking rules and regulations. Motorists may contact the Parking Division at 662.325.2665 with questions about parking permits, rules, or parking arrangements. Anyone wanting to register their vehicle may do so online by using Banner Web.
We are concerned with the quality delivery of customer-oriented services. While we realize that not everyone may agree with the laws and rules that we are ethically obligated to enforce, we do invite constructive suggestions that help us improve the delivery of services. You are invited to submit your suggestions to one of the following individuals:
Law Enforcement Services — (662) 325-2664 (Lt. Bo Shelton)
Administrative Services — (662) 325-4114 (Assistant Chief Brian Locke)
Crime Prevention — (662) 325-9149 (Cpl. Olivia White)