Police

Summary

Police Officer Campus Police Department (Certified Officers)

Mississippi State Hospital | Whitfield, MS (15 miles southeast of Jackson)

State Classification: Law Enforcement Officer II (certified)

A law enforcement career with real purpose

The Mississippi State Hospital Police Department keeps patients, nursing home residents, employees and visitors safe on our 350-acre campus around the clock. We're a publicly funded behavioral health program of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Our campus includes a 282-bed hospital accredited by the Joint Commission and a 198-bed nursing home.

This isn't typical patrol work. You'll use communication and de-escalation as much as enforcement, and you'll protect some of the most vulnerable people in Mississippi. If you're new to law enforcement, we'll pay you while you earn your certification. If you're already certified, you'll find steady work, a strong team and room to grow.

What you'll do

Patrol and enforcement

• Patrol the campus and enforce state and local laws, including traffic laws, and issue citations
• Investigate traffic accidents, property damage and missing property, and write clear, accurate reports
• Search vehicles, and check the security of buildings after hours

Patient safety

• Respond to calls involving aggressive or agitated patients, using de-escalation first
• Help clinical staff with patients, including new admissions and searches
• Follow Mississippi's Vulnerable Adult laws, which protect patients and residents

Transport

• Take newly admitted patients to their buildings, and take patients to off-campus appointments
• Provide medical transport at night and on weekends and holidays

Campus support

• Handle animal control, including taking stray dogs and cats to local shelters and removing nuisance wildlife
• Work with outside law enforcement agencies when needed

What you'll need

If you're not yet certified (Law Enforcement Officer I)

• Willingness to complete the 12-week Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy (MLEOTA) and earn your State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification.
• Ability to pass the academy's physical entry test: flexibility, an agility run, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run
• Agreement to serve at least two years with MSH after you graduate from the academy

If you're already certified (Law Enforcement Officer II)

• Current State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification
• 12 years of law enforcement experience

For everyone

• High school diploma or GED, valid Mississippi driver's license, background check and drug screen
• Calm, sound judgment and strong communication and report-writing skills
• Respect and patience for people living with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and age-related conditions
• Willingness to work nights, weekends and holidays
• Experience in security, corrections, juvenile detention or health care is a plus
• Male applicants ages 1826 must be registered with Selective Service

Why you'll love working here

Room to grow

• A full chain of command, from officer to sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief and chief
• A state career ladder from Law Enforcement Officer I to II to Team Lead
• Specialized assignments, such as the officer dedicated to the hospital's forensic unit
• Career development, training and chances for promotion
• Ongoing training from certified instructors on staff, including de-escalation and active-shooter response

Pay and benefits

• Competitive state salary
• Health and prescription insurance, plus wellness benefits
• Life insurance, with optional discounted dental, vision and cancer coverage
• Paid personal days, sick days and military leave
• State retirement programs and deferred compensation
• State Credit Union membership

A culture that recognizes you

• Police Appreciation Day during National Hospital Week
• Monthly MSH STARS celebrations for Employees of the Month, service milestones, promotions and new certifications
• Annual Employee of the Year awards
• Campus traditions like MSH Day, plus community events with Friends of MSH
• An on-campus employee dining room

How to apply

• Online: www.mspb.ms.gov
• In person: Personnel Department, Mississippi State Hospital, Whitfield, MS. Paper applications are accepted MondayFriday, 8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.
• Questions: (601) 351-8020

Mississippi State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Insert the client's full EEO statement from their careers page]

Job Description

Police Officer Campus Police Department (Certified Officers)

Mississippi State Hospital | Whitfield, MS (15 miles southeast of Jackson)

State Classification: Law Enforcement Officer II (certified)

A law enforcement career with real purpose

The Mississippi State Hospital Police Department keeps patients, nursing home residents, employees and visitors safe on our 350-acre campus around the clock. We're a publicly funded behavioral health program of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Our campus includes a 282-bed hospital accredited by the Joint Commission and a 198-bed nursing home.

This isn't typical patrol work. You'll use communication and de-escalation as much as enforcement, and you'll protect some of the most vulnerable people in Mississippi. If you're new to law enforcement, we'll pay you while you earn your certification. If you're already certified, you'll find steady work, a strong team and room to grow.

What you'll do

Patrol and enforcement

• Patrol the campus and enforce state and local laws, including traffic laws, and issue citations
• Investigate traffic accidents, property damage and missing property, and write clear, accurate reports
• Search vehicles, and check the security of buildings after hours

Patient safety

• Respond to calls involving aggressive or agitated patients, using de-escalation first
• Help clinical staff with patients, including new admissions and searches
• Follow Mississippi's Vulnerable Adult laws, which protect patients and residents

Transport

• Take newly admitted patients to their buildings, and take patients to off-campus appointments
• Provide medical transport at night and on weekends and holidays

Campus support

• Handle animal control, including taking stray dogs and cats to local shelters and removing nuisance wildlife
• Work with outside law enforcement agencies when needed

What you'll need

If you're not yet certified (Law Enforcement Officer I)

• Willingness to complete the 12-week Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy (MLEOTA) and earn your State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification.
• Ability to pass the academy's physical entry test: flexibility, an agility run, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run
• Agreement to serve at least two years with MSH after you graduate from the academy

If you're already certified (Law Enforcement Officer II)

• Current State of Mississippi Law Enforcement Professional Certification
• 12 years of law enforcement experience

For everyone

• High school diploma or GED, valid Mississippi driver's license, background check and drug screen
• Calm, sound judgment and strong communication and report-writing skills
• Respect and patience for people living with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and age-related conditions
• Willingness to work nights, weekends and holidays
• Experience in security, corrections, juvenile detention or health care is a plus
• Male applicants ages 1826 must be registered with Selective Service

Why you'll love working here

Room to grow

• A full chain of command, from officer to sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief and chief
• A state career ladder from Law Enforcement Officer I to II to Team Lead
• Specialized assignments, such as the officer dedicated to the hospital's forensic unit
• Career development, training and chances for promotion
• Ongoing training from certified instructors on staff, including de-escalation and active-shooter response

Pay and benefits

• Competitive state salary
• Health and prescription insurance, plus wellness benefits
• Life insurance, with optional discounted dental, vision and cancer coverage
• Paid personal days, sick days and military leave
• State retirement programs and deferred compensation
• State Credit Union membership

A culture that recognizes you

• Police Appreciation Day during National Hospital Week
• Monthly MSH STARS celebrations for Employees of the Month, service milestones, promotions and new certifications
• Annual Employee of the Year awards
• Campus traditions like MSH Day, plus community events with Friends of MSH
• An on-campus employee dining room

How to apply

• Online: www.mspb.ms.gov
• In person: Personnel Department, Mississippi State Hospital, Whitfield, MS. Paper applications are accepted MondayFriday, 8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.
• Questions: (601) 351-8020

Mississippi State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Insert the client's full EEO statement from their careers page]