University Police Department

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Patrol Division

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UPD Patrol
Hattiesburg/Gulf Coast Divisions
Phone: 601.266.4986

The University Police Department is staffed primarily by certified, sworn police officers. Each officer undergoes training at a MS Certified Law Enforcement Training Academy. Once that is completed, each officer goes through advanced training to meet the standards of CALEA. This includes advanced weapon training, report writing, investigative techniques, etc. In order to be employed as a police officer one must be able to pass a background check and an oral interview. In a addition, one of the following is 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.

Hattiesburg Patrol Division

Patrol Lieutenant
Jared Pierce

Platoon A

Patrol Sergeant
Darra Cooks

Patrol Officer

Justus Smith

Patrol Officer

Adam Rittenhouse

Patrol Officer

(Vacant)

Platoon B

Patrol Sergeant
Andrew Adcock

Patrol Officer

Destiny Mays

Patrol Officer
Officer Alex Coleman

Patrol Officer
(Vacant)

Platoon C

Patrol Sergeant
Margaret Bennett

Patrol Sergeant
Ethan Rich

Patrol Officer
Shanice Bolton

Patrol Officer
George Keys

Platoon D

Patrol Sergeant

Marlen Vazquez-Silva

Patrol Officer

Bobby Walker

Patrol Officer
Tim Hill

Patrol Officer
(Vacant)

Special Operations Unit

Special Operations Supervisor (Vacant)

Bike Patrol Officer
Justus Smith

Bike Patrol Officer

(Vacant)

Bike Patrol Officer
(Vacant)

Gulf Coast Patrol Division

Patrol Lieutenant

(Vacant)

Patrol Sergeant

(Vacant)

Patrol Sergeant
(Vacant)

Patrol Officer

Karen Brashear

Patrol Officer
Rodney Beasley

Patrol Officer

Russell Lockard

Patrol Officer

Isreal Neff

Patrol Officer
Brett Bocian

Patrol Officer

Kyle Strong

Patrol Officer

Bradly Lynn

Patrol Officer

Miguel Thomas

Another important component of our department are known as Campus Safety Staff or CSS's. These non-sworn personnel are responsible for securing the various buildings on campus, performing routine security checks of their assigned areas and provide on-site presence in dorms and residential areas throughout campus during evening and night hours.

If you are interested in employment as a Campus Safety Staff member the requirements are being able to pass a background check and oral interview. Be sure to check the Southern Miss Human Resources website for job postings as they become available.

Campus Safety Staff

(Hattiesburg and Gulf Coast Campuses)

Hattiesburg CSS
Tony Fluker