On July 14, 2026, Josh Bromen, Director of the Public Safety (DPS) Planning Division with the Department of Public Safety spoke briefly with superintendents at the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Conference. Bromen stated the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training would meet July 16, 2026 to determine if school district police departments were in compliance with DPS agency and training requirements to function as a law enforcement agency, referencing MS Code Ann. 37-7-321.
Staff with the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Safe and Orderly Schools attended the Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training meeting where it was agreed that MDE would seek an official opinion from the Office of the Attorney General regarding the interpretation of a school district police department before any decisive action would be taken by the Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.
The Attorney General opinion request has been submitted and MDE will provide the response to superintendents once received. Any current school safety related questions may be directed to School Safety Administrator Will Dickson at wdickson@mdek12.org or (601) 359-1028.