The Southern Regional Public Safety Institute (SRPSI) is a multi-function public safety training facility and is located at Camp Shelby, MS, an Army National Guard Training Center.
The mission of the SRPSI is to provide up-to-date professional training through a nine-week (400 hour) basic academy, as well as to offer in-service or advanced training across the broad spectrum of public safety areas to officers from all over the southern US.
 The basic academy is conducted four times a year in a live-in dormitory training facility, and strives to meet "today's standards" for a law enforcement officer. The SRPSI draws from an impressive pool of expert instructors to teach the various classes during basic training. The cadets report in on Sunday evening and stay until Friday afternoon. Completion of this academy allows the officer to become state certified.
The cadets are usually total strangers to one another on the first day, but quickly become life-long friends working as a team. The "team" concept is stressed by the SPRSI staff.
 The basic cadets start each morning at 0500 hrs with defensive tactics and physical fitness training. Cadets then conduct personal hygiene, inspections, and breakfast. The classroom day begins at 0800hrs and lasts until 1700 hrs each day. The cadets are normally given the evening to study, or relax before "lights out" at 2200 hrs. All certifications required by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training are covered.
The highlights of the nine weeks are always driving and firearms weeks when the cadets get to leave the academy for the appropriate ranges for vehicle pursuit and weapons training.
Former officers getting back into law enforcement can meet the state's refresher training requirement of 120 hours by attending the three-week summer refresher session. Officers interested in this program should contact the SRPSI at least two weeks prior to the beginning of a basic academy class.
 The "Advanced/Specialized Training" mission is to offer low-cost and sometimes free advanced, in-service, or specialized training to local, state and regional officers who might otherwise have to go long distances for in-service training. Several seminars, such as Instructor Development, Basic Investigations, Accident Investigation Instructor, HAZMAT, Defensive Tactics, Crime Scene Investigations, Basic Communications, Active Shooter, SWAT and others, are offered as demand dictates. Agencies interested in hosting training in their area, or for more information, contact the Rural Training Coordinator at (601) 266-6680.
The seven-week International Forensic Science Academy is designed to increase and maximize the knowledge base of personnel who investigate crime scenes. The IFSA incorporates in-depth training, hands on workshops, lectures, and practicals to teach the importance of recognition, documentation, collection, and preservation of evidence. The program covers numerous disciplines within the forensic science, taught by a world renowned staff.
USM offers a certificate of Academic Instruction and Training for 280 hours of study to all participants who successfully complete the IFSA.
Both the basic academy and the International Forensic Science Academy may qualify you for six semester hours of college credit with Southern Miss.
Law enforcement agency personnel are eligible for WIN Job Center funding to pay the tuition for this forensics training.
For course offerings and reservations contact SRPSI at 601-266-6680 or e-mail police.academy@usm.edu.
Business Hours
Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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