Less than one week after Jackson Police Department announced several personnel changes, Assistant Police Chief Lee Vance said the transition has been smooth with new officers prepared to take on new roles.
"Obviously people are getting used to working at a different place, but I don't feel like we have missed a beat," Vance said. "Each one of the changes we made were with experienced, supervisory people. Changes in management are nothing uncommon, both in police agencies and the private sector."
JPD's personnel changes went into effect Monday when Deputy Chief Tyrone Lewis retired. Lewis, a 28-year veteran of the police department, served as interim police chief before Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. named Rebecca Coleman as chief last November. Other personnel changes include: Lt. Gerald Jones transferred to the patrol division. Sgt. Kenneth Goodrum to Precinct 1. Cmdr. Wendell Watts from Precinct 5 to Precinct 4. Acting Lt. Allen White to Precinct 5 commander.
Lewis directed officers this morning to increase patrol units around the Mississippi State Fairgrounds this weekend because of the expected high volume of visitors to the fair and the possibility of car burglaries.
The department reported a city-wide decrease in major crimes for the week of Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. Total property crimes were 165, down from 174 the week prior and 186 this time last year. Total violent crimes were 25, down from 31 the week prior and 38 this time last year.
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