As JPD withered on the vine, the expansion of the Capitol Police has been a godsend for Jackson as it deployed over 60 cops to fight crime on the streets of Jackson. Posted below is a snapshot of the Capitol Police numbers.
The Capitol Police has 151 employees but is actively recruiting. The composition of the Capitol Police is:
37 assigned to buildings
9 assigned to special events
3 assigned to bike patrol
15 assigned to investigations
49 assigned to patrol
6 assigned to FLEX
5 assigned to Warrants
3 assigned to K9
12 assigned to community engagement and courts
2 assigned to training
2 assigned to Fleet
8 assigned to Command Staff
Combining patrol, FLEX, Warrants, bike patrol, and K-9 yields a total of 66 cops fighting crime on the streets of Jackson.
The Capitol Police recruited many cops away from other agencies when it first expanded because it paid a higher salary. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindall said staffing has been more challenging recently because the law enforcement agencies in the Jackson metro area raised their salaries to compete with Capitol Police. Who says competition is not a good thing?
The Legislature pulled a little number on the Capitol Police as well as Mississippi Highway Patrol in the special budget session this year. The Solons in the capitol cut the salaries for Capitol Police by $1 million and Mississippi Highway Patrol by $2 million. Those agencies still have their PINS (slots) but not the money to fund them all.
13 comments:
Is there a list of who voted to cut Highway Patrol and Capitol Police?
60? Assuming 8 hour shifts that’s only 20 street cops per shift. Still, they seem to be doing a good job. As for the Legislature’s cuts to LE budgets, no one could possibly be surprised given the government’s irresponsible drive to eliminate the income tax.
Keep in mind they are not covering all of Jackson.
If I remember correctly, they came in and voted on the whole budget in one day.
Don't forget the impact of PERS Tier 5.
In my opinion there should be a state law enforcement branch/division akin to Capitol Police setting up shop in every crime ridden city in our state, and don't tell me we can't afford it, because we damn sure can't afford to NOT crack down on the crime plaguing Vicksburg, Greenville, Columbus, McComb, Clarksdale, etc.. And with those cities being smaller only 10 or so officers would be needed. Have to stop the population loss somehow. Thank the Lord for Bo Luckey and Cap PD! Jackson (CCID) has become so much safer the past couple of years, especially in Belhaven/Fondren/Meadowbrook Highlands/Northside Dr. areas because of them. I haven't heard of much auto theft happening at all in the area, especially compared to 2022!
The National Guard would sure help.
Thank you Capitol Police! Keep the streets (and us) safe!
To the point of 9:26, why can't we pull some of the Highway Patrol to fight crime and accomplish this task in the cities mentioned above. At present, the MHP functions as a group of revenue agents on the highways of the state. Compile a few task forces like Louisiana has for their State Police to combat crime in the French Quarter. The results have been outstanding in New Orleans.
So, your numbers add up to 139 "assignments". Capitol Police have also have responded to Eastover /LOHO . Both JPD and Capitol police showed up for a " domestic altercation". Not all well-to-do couples stay sober and never get violent. And, JPD has the high crime areas.
I want to know if the training is the same as for JPD. I met both when the wrong address was given by the caller in the Eastover area. Both JPD and Capitol were very polite when I directed them to the correct location ( even the USPS gets confused regularly in Eastover) but JPD arrived first. If 911 is called, how well are they trained in knowing where the lines are drawn? And, when it comes to the Capitol Police do they have all the state property on the east side of I-55 as well?
I wonder if we are not "robbing Peter to pay Paul". It's pretty easy to get crime rates down in an area that didn't have high crime rates.
Are the pay/hours/ and benefits the same for JPD and The Capitol Police and where does this leave the State Highway Patrol...just on the highways?
The Capitol Police are not covering the highest crime areas. The Capitol Police have responded in LOHO and Eastover so where exactly are the geographical parameters for the Capitol Police?
I’ve lived in jackson since the 80s. The new police force is working very well. I’ve been pulled over by one or two and they are professional and kind and I’m glad they are here. With streets being repaired and water working and Fondren booming….Jackson is looking up!
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