Two Grants provide upgrades for MPSD Campus Police

MERIDIAN, MS. – Safety on campus just got a powerful upgrade.

Thanks to two recently awarded grants, the Meridian Public School District Campus Police Department is strengthening its ability to serve and protect students, staff, and visitors with the purchase of four new patrol vehicles and updated radio equipment for those vehicles.

The MPSD Campus Police was the recipient of a $100,000 MCOPS (Mississippi Cooperative Operations for Public Safety) grant, which is designated to support school safety initiatives.

With the age of some of the district’s patrol fleet dating back to 2016, MPSD Campus Police Chief Cornelius Parks was thankful that the MCOPS grant will allow the district to replace some of the older vehicles using grant funds.

“With maintenance costs increasing and some of our fleet reaching the end of its lifespan, the awarding of the MCOPS grant could not have come at a better time,” said Parks. “The investment helps reduce long-term maintenance costs and increases the response time of our officers on and around our school campuses.”

The grant allowed the purchase of four Chevrolet Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicles, which are purpose-built police vehicles designed to meet the operational and safety needs of school-based law enforcement officers.

The department was also the recipient of a $12,000 grant awarded by the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase additional equipment for department operations.

“We are thankful for the support of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security through this grant program,” said Parks. “We appreciate the community’s continued support as we work to protect our students and staff while using available resources wisely.”