MSU PD officers provide coverage 365 days a year - 24 hours per day – 7 days per week. Patrol officers are assigned to one of four regular patrol 12-hour shifts in which they work on a rotating basis. Patrol officers monitor campus in marked patrol cars, bicycles, UTVs, and on motorcycles.
K-9 Unit
The Mississippi State University Police Department formed a dedicated K-9 Unit in August 2014. These valued members of our team play a vital role in keeping our community safe by performing bomb sweeps prior to large functions at the University, such as athletic events and concerts.
We have three teams consisting of dual-purpose explosive & patrol detector canines and one team consisting of a single-purpose narcotics canine. All teams are certified annually by the American Working Dogs Association. Initial training is under the supervision of an American Working Dogs certified trainer provided by Von Klein Stein Working Dogs based in Sherwood, Arkansas with a minimum of 80 hours of initial training. K-9 teams must maintain 16 hours minimum monthly team maintenance training. Teams re-certify yearly with National Canine Audit System to demonstrate team proficiency in their respective purpose which can include Patrol, Tracking, Explosives, & Narcotics.
The explosive detector canine teams provide pre-event sweeps prior to any event deemed necessary by the university and/or MSUPD.
Teams are utilized for suspicious packages/vehicles and respond to any bomb threat location within Mississippi State University.
Teams provide mutual aid assistance as needed to Starkville Police Department, Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office, and other surrounding agencies.
K9 Miguel has been serving since 2014
K9 Bessi has been serving since 2015
K9 Coda has been serving since 2017
K9 Bash has been serving since 2024
Bicycle Patrol Unit
The department also has a Bicycle Patrol Unit. Officers serving on Bike Patrol attend specialized training through the International Police Mountain Bike Association and receive IPMBA Police Cyclist Certification before being assigned to bike patrol. Obtaining this certification requires that they combine Emergency Vehicle Operations for bike officers with their patrol procedures, tactics, night operations, scenarios, and basic bike maintenance and on-the-road repairs.
Training for Patrol
A new officer hired to work for the Mississippi State University Police Department receives a minimum of 160 hours of in-service departmental training. Included in this training is weapons and use of certification, defensive tactics review, law enforcement driving techniques, report writing, investigative and crime scene/evidence collection techniques, and emergency first responder refresher training. The MSUPD Officers are also trained in the use of the LifePak 500 defibrillator in conjunction with their bi-annual American Heart Association CPR training. The MSUPD is committed to giving our officers the training necessary to be prepared in any life-threatening emergency.
After completing the in-service portion of their training, the probationary officer is then assigned to a Field Training Officer (FTO). The new officer goes through an intensive twelve-week on-the-job training and evaluation period with FTO’s on day and night shifts. The ultimate goal of field training is to expose the probationary officer to as many varied situations as possible in the prescribed time under controlled and evaluated circumstances.
The Field Training Officer is a vital link in the training of new officers. The FTO must have a minimum of two years of law enforcement experience. He or she must be in good standing with the department and have excellent knowledge/understanding of departmental policies and procedures. The FTO must also possess an in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and must demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, and the ability to work and help others.
The FTO works directly with the probationary officer on the road, and in all the law enforcement situations they encounter. The FTO and trainee respond to the calls for service, conduct traffic stops, interact with others on campus, and perform the everyday duties of other certified and trained officers. The FTO provides training as well as relays his or her own personal experiences in law enforcement. Also, while training with the three different FTOs, the trainee receives multiple viewpoints for a more rounded and fulfilling training experience.
After the completion of FTO, officers have the ability to attend other training opportunities that can consist of specialized disciplines and/or instructor certifications. Officers can then bring that training back to MSU PD to be utilized in the field and potentially train other officers.
Campus Event Security and Traffic Control
Campus Event Security and Traffic Control is also provided by the University Police Department upon request. The Mississippi State University Police Department is charged with planning and operational management of many special events on campus. MSUPD works with the MSU Athletic Department and many other departments to provide security for a diverse selection of events that occur at MSU.
We develop a unique written plan for handling each individual special event. The plan contains the number of staff needed, the responsibilities of those involved, crowd and traffic control, logistical and safety concerns, and the anticipated criminal activities that are associated with particular events. The written plan also establishes coordination with other law enforcement and support agencies should their assistance be required. A designated chain of command for every operation is established in advance and an individual is assigned to complete an after-action report detailing circumstances arising from the event.
Requests for campus event security and traffic control should go through the Special Events Coordinator who can be reached at (662) 325-4778. Campus event security and traffic control services are billable to the department or organization requesting them.
Campus Security Officers
New in 2021, MSU Police Dept. has employed seven (7) Campus Security Officers whose role includes providing SafeWalk escorts, performing building checks, responding to alarm calls and door prop alarms, assisting with traffic control, and taking lost property reports. They provide an extra set of eyes and ears for our campus and report any suspicious activity to our police officers.