Jackson council unanimous in police chief choice
In a unanimous vote during Tuesday’s meeting, the Jackson City Council approved Joseph Wade as the Chief of Police of the Jackson Police Department.
Wade has been serving as interim chief since June 1 after former chief James Davis retired. Wade has 28 years of service in the department, serving in various roles. The council chambers were filled with police officers who attended the meeting to support Wade.
“I will be the chief for all wards. I will be the chief of North Jackson, Downtown Jackson, West Jackson and South Jackson. I will represent the city of Jackson well and with honor,” Wade said before being confirmed.
Wade thanked his family, the officers of the Jackson Police Department, the mayor, the city council and the citizens of Jackson, among others, for their support.
The new chief said he will “attack violent crimes here in the City of Jackson” as applause rang out in the chambers. Wade also said he is focused on recruiting and retaining officers for the departments, as well as getting officers currently serving pay raises and more resources. He also said he plans on working with other law enforcement agencies at the county and federal levels and making the Jackson Police Department “the premier law enforcement agency in Mississippi.”
“Not only has he demonstrated great success in his time in the interim position, prior to that he has demonstrated a commitment to the Jackson Police Department and more importantly the City of Jackson,” Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said before the vote.
Each of the council members expressed their support for Wade before voting. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes did say he would like to see more focus on drug issues in the city. Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley praised Wade’s leadership while he was interim chief, especially the fact that there has been more officers joining and rejoining the department since he has taken over the department.
“It shows your leadership that morale is coming back. It shows your leadership that civility is coming back,” Hartley said. “I always say anyone in uniform that has to be put in harms way, they have to have an excellent leader to inspire them.”
Ward 7 Councilwoman asked Wade what his vision looks like for the police department moving forward. Wade said recruiting motivated officers is at the top of his list.
“We got to get the right people. We got to get highly motivated people. This job is not about power, it’s not about ego, it’s about a selfless service to our community,” Wade said. “I want to ensure them (Jackson Police officers) and promise them that they have my support. I will praise them, honor them and commend them for the work that they do. I will not hide behind the chain of command … I will be available and accessible to the rank-and-file police officers.”