Capitol Police prepares for CCID expansion on July 1

JACKSON, Mississippi (WJTV) – Capitol Police will expand their jurisdiction in Jackson on Monday, July 1.

The expansion of the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID) means a greater police presence in and around the greater Jackson area. The new boundaries move the district north to Northside Drive, east to the banks of the Pearl River, west to Ellis Avenue, and south to Interstate 20.

The district also includes three public schools in Jackson and the Kroger on Interstate 55.

“It will actually be almost twice the size of what it is now. More roofs need to be covered, more businesses need to be covered, and hopefully it will again help support the capital and its public safety efforts as we grow the Capitol Police and work hand-in-hand with our partners at the JPD and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sean Tindell, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Cooperation between law enforcement agencies has been a problem for many skeptics of this approach. The primary responsibility within these expanded boundaries will rest with the Capitol Police.

“This transition is going very well and smoothly. You really should keep politics out of public safety. But good public safety is always good policy. Working with the JPD has multiplied forces. When we started expanding the Capitol Police, we had about 63 police officers. Now we have 153. With this latest expansion and the funding approved for this fiscal year, we can get to 187. Our goal is 220 to 240 Capitol Police officers. And I’m sure Jackson’s goal is over 300. And when we get there, public safety will improve,” Tindell explained.

Tindell hopes residents will feel more comfortable now that there are more police officers at the Capitol.

“I hope that citizens will see a stronger police presence and feel that their neighborhoods and businesses are safer,” he said.