Jackson MS. hires new police chief www.privateofficer.com
Jackson MS Oct 5 2009
Rebecca Coleman realizes she has a huge task as she moves from overseeing 50 police officers at Jackson State University to almost 500 at the Jackson Police Department.
But the 57-year-old said she’s ready, pending approval from the City Council.
“The ultimate is to become the chief, and I had that desire … and I had set goals for myself,” she said.
Coleman, the mother of grown twin daughters, started her law enforcement career as a beat officer at JPD 35 years ago. Wanting to advance, she left after 20 years on the force to take a job as police chief in a small Texas town.
After less than a year in Texas, she returned home to take a job as JSU’s associate director of public safety. She became director in 1998.
“I’m happy and sad about moving on,” said Coleman, a Magee native.
JSU President Ronald Mason Jr. said Coleman helped instill discipline and order in the campus department. Her team of officers dealt with the disappearance and death of student Latasha Norman in 2007 and the recent investigation of hazing allegations against the JSU marching band.
“I think it’s a great move for the city,” Mason said. “She’s a seasoned professional who ran our campus safety department like a true captain.”
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and Coleman worked together on a JSU advisory council, and she chaired his transition team for public safety.
Coleman hasn’t committed to making any changes at JPD but said she wants to put more focus on domestic violence prevention.
Some others offered her some advice on Thursday.
Former JPD Chief Robert Johnson said Coleman needs to concentrate on surrounding herself with capable people. “That’ll be the key to her success or failure, how well she adapts to the change and whom she selects as her command staff,” he said.
Robert Johnson was chief from 1994-1997 and ran against Harvey Johnson for mayor this year. He said JPD has more troubles now than it did when he was in command.
There are issues with professionalism, low morale and diminishing resources, he said. And if Harvey Johnson is like he was in the ’90s, that could make things difficult, said Johnson, who’s now a private security consultant.
The mayor didn’t seem to trust others to make decisions and was not knowledgeable about how the department is run, he said. Harvey Johnson fired Robert Johnson. The mayor could not be reached for comment.
A good relationship with the mayor is important for a chief since the job is a political appointment, said Canton Assistant Police Chief Bracy Coleman, who isn’t related to Rebecca Coleman.
He graduated from the police academy with her, and they were partners at JPD. “She understands what goes on there, and she understands what is needed,” he said.
Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston has known Rebecca Coleman since 1974, when they worked together at JPD. He said she’ll be a good manager. The staff at JPD will work to her advantage.
“She’s got some excellent help,” he said.
Rebecca Coleman realizes she has a huge task as she moves from overseeing 50 police officers at Jackson State University to almost 500 at the Jackson Police Department.
But the 57-year-old said she’s ready, pending approval from the City Council.
“The ultimate is to become the chief, and I had that desire … and I had set goals for myself,” she said.
Coleman, the mother of grown twin daughters, started her law enforcement career as a beat officer at JPD 35 years ago. Wanting to advance, she left after 20 years on the force to take a job as police chief in a small Texas town.
After less than a year in Texas, she returned home to take a job as JSU’s associate director of public safety. She became director in 1998.
“I’m happy and sad about moving on,” said Coleman, a Magee native.
JSU President Ronald Mason Jr. said Coleman helped instill discipline and order in the campus department. Her team of officers dealt with the disappearance and death of student Latasha Norman in 2007 and the recent investigation of hazing allegations against the JSU marching band.
“I think it’s a great move for the city,” Mason said. “She’s a seasoned professional who ran our campus safety department like a true captain.”
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and Coleman worked together on a JSU advisory council, and she chaired his transition team for public safety.
Coleman hasn’t committed to making any changes at JPD but said she wants to put more focus on domestic violence prevention.
Some others offered her some advice on Thursday.
Former JPD Chief Robert Johnson said Coleman needs to concentrate on surrounding herself with capable people. “That’ll be the key to her success or failure, how well she adapts to the change and whom she selects as her command staff,” he said.
Robert Johnson was chief from 1994-1997 and ran against Harvey Johnson for mayor this year. He said JPD has more troubles now than it did when he was in command.
There are issues with professionalism, low morale and diminishing resources, he said. And if Harvey Johnson is like he was in the ’90s, that could make things difficult, said Johnson, who’s now a private security consultant.
The mayor didn’t seem to trust others to make decisions and was not knowledgeable about how the department is run, he said. Harvey Johnson fired Robert Johnson. The mayor could not be reached for comment.
A good relationship with the mayor is important for a chief since the job is a political appointment, said Canton Assistant Police Chief Bracy Coleman, who isn’t related to Rebecca Coleman.
He graduated from the police academy with her, and they were partners at JPD. “She understands what goes on there, and she understands what is needed,” he said.
Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston has known Rebecca Coleman since 1974, when they worked together at JPD. He said she’ll be a good manager. The staff at JPD will work to her advantage.
“She’s got some excellent help,” he said.
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