Highway Patrol | Mississippi Department of Public Safety

Highway Patrol

On April 1, 1938, Senate Bill 161 was signed into law by Governor Hugh L. White creating the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol. Since then, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHSP) has promoted the safe operation of motor vehicles on the state’s roads and highways by enforcing the rules of the road as set forth in Title 63 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. Upon request, MHSP will assist counties and municipalities with limited resources and expertise in resolving crimes and other law enforcement-related issues in their jurisdictions. State Troopers must also be prepared to respond to statewide emergencies at the request of the Governor.

Additionally, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol serves Mississippians by providing and maintaining records of more than 2.7 million state-issued documents such as driver’s licenses, identification cards and firearms permits.

Each division of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol works diligently to protect life and property by maintaining law and order with courtesy, service and safety.

CONTACT

Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol
P.O. Box 958
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 987-1212

Director of Highway Patrol
Colonel Charles Haynes

Mississippi State Trooper’s Association
msta@bellsouth.net

Assistant Director, MHSP/ Chief of Uniform Division
Lt. Colonel James Ivory

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Mission

The mission of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHSP) is to enact its motto of courtesy, service and safety in maintaining law and order within the State of Mississippi. MHSP promotes safe operation of motor vehicles by enforcing legally established rules of the road; assists local law enforcement agencies with criminal and other investigations; and provides and maintains state-issued licenses and documents. MHSP seeks to maintain a positive relationship with the residents of Mississippi via highly ethical conduct, professional public service, meaningful public awareness campaigns, effective communication, and responsive leadership and assistance in cases of emergency and disaster.

Administration

The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol is administered through a hierarchy of sworn law enforcement officers holding supervisory positions.

The Assistant Commissioner of Public Safety also known as the Chief of Patrol with the rank of Colonel, manages the operations of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol. As Chief of Patrol, the Colonel oversees the daily operation of the largest statewide law enforcement agency in Mississippi. There are four Lt. Colonel positions within MHP that report directly to the Colonel along with the Captain of Internal Affairs and the Captain of Governmental Affairs. The Colonel reports directly to the Commissioner of Public Safety.

The Uniform Division is primarily responsible for the safety of our highways and is managed by a Lt. Colonel who serves as Deputy Director of MHP and is the Chief of the Uniform Division. The following areas fall under the Uniform Division: Enforcement, SWAT, Special Operations Group (SOG), CRASH Team, Air Ops, Training, Motorcycle Unit, Interdiction Unit and Honor Guard. Fleet Operations, Motor Carrier Safety Division and Public Affairs are also under the direction of the Deputy Director. The Lt. Colonel reports directly to the Colonel.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is primarily responsible for the investigation of criminal activities in the state and is managed by a Lt. Colonel, who serves as Director of MBI and reports directly to the Colonel.

The Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy (MLEOTA) is primarily responsible for providing training facilities for employees of the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement officers in the state. MLEOTA is managed by a Lt. Colonel who reports directly to the Colonel.

The Driver Service Bureau is primarily responsible for the licensing of the state’s citizens for driver licenses, gun permits and official state identification cards. The bureau is also responsible for maintaining secure and accurate repositories and is managed by a Lt. Colonel who reports directly to the Colonel.