Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell announced Wednesday key hirings to the public safety leadership team.
Reeves introduced Charles Haynes as the new director of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation of Jackson, Bo Luckey the new chief of Capitol Police and Joshua Shipp was named the new assistant chief of Capitol Police.
“Today, we add three more members to our team and further strengthen our state law enforcement community,” Reeves said. “Each of these individuals bring a tremendous wealth of experience to the job, and I have no doubt that with them on our team, regardless of how long it may take we will be victorious in our efforts to reduce the crime in Mississippi.”
The hirings come as Jackson is experiencing high levels of violent crime, including a recent shootout between rival groups of teens at the Mississippi Mudbug Festival on the Mississippi Fairgrounds last month in which one of the shooters was killed by an officer.
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Haynes recently served as a state trooper on the Mississippi Highway Patrol and served as an officer with the Brandon Police Department.
He said it was an honor to be selected as the new director of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation of Jackson.
“This is an assignment that I do not take lightly,” Haynes said. “As we identify and pursue opportunities to provide investigating support to our law enforcement partners in the communities in Mississippi, this is important.
“We plan to initiate meetings with community departments such as Jackson Police Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s department and others as well. The purpose of these meetings will be to find ways to better serve each other and form a better-unified front.”
Luckey recently served as the senior criminal investigator in the Mississippi Attorney General’s office, serving in both the Human Trafficking Unit and the Consumer Protection Division.
He said he is fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as the new Capitol Chief of Police.
“I’m excited to serve the people of Jackson as well as the citizens of Mississippi,” Luckey said. “Upon taking office, my first steps would be to access the manpower and resources available at this time for the capitol police to ensure that we are functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
Shipp recently served as Patrol Shift Lieutenant in the Oxford Police Department. Shipp also previously served in the U.S. Secret Service in Washington D.C. where he provided protection for the White House Complex and Vice President’s Residence.
“My job is to come in and access the resources that we already have and to form a plan that will provide a safer environment for public leaders and individuals who visit the city of Jackson,” Shipp said. “Also I would like to bring my family with me to the capital to live and work in this area as well.”
Commissioner Tindell said he believes each of the new public safety officials bring years of experience into their new roles.
“I am excited for Chief Bo Luckey, Assistant Chief Joshua Shipp and Lt. Col. Charles Haynes,” Tindell said. “I believe they will work hard to protect our citizens and keep our state safe.”
