Contact Information
Bond Hall ground floor
118 College Drive #5061
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
Phone: 601.266.4986
About Us
Command Staff
|
|
Bob Hopkins |
 |
Gerald Rice Major of Operations Phone: 266-6330 gerald.rice@usm.edu |
 |
Rusty Keyes |
 |
Lisa Carter Captain Special Operations Phone: 266-5787 lisa.carter@usm.edu |
 |
Charles Chandler Patrol Captain/Accreditation Manager Phone:266-6254 charles.r.chandler@usm.edu |
 |
Stan Kittrell Lieutenant - Bikes/Motorcycles Phone: 266-6733 stan.kittrell@usm.edu |
 |
Chris Graves Lieutenant – Patrol Phone: 266-4986 Christopher.d.Graves@usm.edu |
 |
Jeff Knight Lieutenant – Patrol Phone: 266-4986 William.Knight@usm.edu |
 |
Donald Parhm Lieutenant – Patrol Phone: 266-4986 Donald.Parhm@usm.edu |
 |
Richard Smith Lieutenant – Patrol Phone: 266-4986 Richard.e.Smith@usm.edu |
 |
Mary Virgil Supervisor - Campus Security Officer Phone: 266-4986 mary.virgil@usm.edu |
Employment at UPD
The University of Southern Mississippi Police Department often has employment openings in various positions. We encourage anyone interested in employment to regularly check the Human Resources website at for up to date information. The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer.
UPD Organization
The University Police Department is staffed primarily by certified, sworn police officers. In order to be employed as a police officer one must be able to pass a background check and an oral interview. In addition, one of the following will be required:
- A current Mississippi law enforcement officers professional certificate
- Prior law enforcement certification, with the ability to complete refresher training
- Ability to complete requirements to enter and complete a basic law enforcement academy
The University Police Department hires persons with and without law enforcement experience as police officers. Those hired without law enforcement experience will be sent to a police academy at Camp Shelby or Pearl, Mississippi.
The UPD implemented this unit because the department was beginning to change its philosophy of law enforcement from a reactive form of policing to a more proactive form. Community-oriented policing, the model for proactive policing, was on the rise and had proven to be very effective in communities throughout the country.
The mountain bike and motorcycle patrol unit has become a great public relations tool. This unit is used to enhance the vehicle patrol and is also used to interact with the university public. The addition of three police motorcycles to the unit in 2003 has enabled the police department to better address issues of traffic law enforcement and vehicle accidents.
The mountain bike officers have been an effective tool in the reduction of crime. Because of the manunverability and stealth-like features of the mountain bikes the bicycle unit is able to detect and deter crimes in areas inaccessible to patrol cars. Since its inception, auto burglaries and thefts have decreased considerably.
A certified instructor of the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) and the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) trains each officer. This course consists of 32 hours of rigorous hands-on training and classroom material. Each officer is required to pass this course before entering the mountain bike and motorcycle patrol unit.
For more information about UPD Mountain Bike and Motorcycle Patrol contact LT. Stan Kittrell 266-4986. stan.kittrell@usm.edu.
An important part of the University of Southern Mississippi Police Department is the Communications Division. They are responsible for handling all telephone and radio traffic for the department.
In order to be employed as a Communications Officer one must be able to pass a background check and oral interview. In addition, certification as a telecommunicator is highly valued. Those without such certification will be required to attain that certification within one year.
Another important piece of our department are our Campus Security Officers. CSO's provide an on-site presence in dorms and residential areas throughout campus during evening hours.
In order to be employed as a Campus Security Officer one must be able to pass a background check and oral interview.
