Mississippi Highway Patrol - The Organization

The Organization

The Mississippi Highway Patrol falls under the Department of Public Safety. The Colonel is the highest-ranking officer in the Highway Patrol. Numerous departments exist within the patrol, including the Drivers License division, which is charged with the responsibility of testing and issuing drivers licenses to the residents of Mississippi. The patrol also provides a highly trained SWAT team equipped to respond to incidents throughout the state. The MHP also maintains a Special Operations Group, or SOG team, of approximately 80 troopers from all nine districts. The SOG team responds to civil disturbances, prison/jail uprisings, hurricane disasters or any emergency situation which would require more manpower than the SWAT team could provide. The SOG team is capable of deploying 100 troopers for 2 to 3 weeks without being resupplied. The patrol also hosts an 18 person Aggressive Traffic Enforcement and Motorcycles team, known as the A-TEAM. The A-TEAM is equipped with Harley Davidson police package motorcycles, and deploys to various counties to strictly enforce the traffic laws in areas with a high accident or fatality rate. The A-TEAM also provides escorts for VIPs and special events. Other departments include a drug interdiction team, motor carrier division, accident reconstruction team, honor guard detail, and training division.

Another very important division to the Highway Patrol is the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. It falls under the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and is staffed totally by State Troopers. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) has been given general police powers, by statute (MS Code, 45-3-21). Trooper Investigators with MBI have the power to investigate any and all crimes committed in the State of Mississippi. Under the Bureau there are also many sub-divisions. These include Special Ops, Protective Services Unit, Salvage Inspection Unit, Victim Assistance Program, as well as the Mississippi Justice Information centers. MBI is considered State Police, however, by statute, they are supposed to only exercise those powers when it is deemed totally necessary, to benefit the public safety of the citizens of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol uses Ford Police Interceptors and Dodge Chargers in addition to its motorcycles, as well as Chevrolet Tahoes for K-9 units. SOG units use Ford Crown Victorias as well as F-150 through F-350 trucks. MBI uses unmarked Maroon, Grey and Black Ford Police Interceptors that are only seen in the Street Appearance Package. These cars use the same chrome grille and rear fascia of the Crown Victoria and not the black of the Police Interceptor.