Mississippi Highway Patrol Faces Staffing CrisisMississippi Highway Patrol Faces Staffing Crisis Local and national law enforcement agencies are grappling with manpower shortages, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) is no exception. Its workforce is dwindling to concerning levels. Taylor Shows, a Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper First Class, emphasized the situation’s severity: “Our manpower is lower than it has ever been.” MHP’s efforts to replenish its ranks have fallen short due to a persistent gap between retirements and academy graduates. To address this crisis, MHP has launched statewide job fairs at all its substations, excluding Troop C. The fairs aim to reach potential recruits hesitant about committing to a demanding career. Shows stressed the MHP’s need for dedicated individuals willing to serve their community. “We need people and we need good people to sign up for this class,” he said. “Anybody in this blue and gray uniform would be happy to have you.” For those with doubts, Shows offered encouragement: “Don’t think about it, just do it. You won’t regret it… This is just one big family.” He commended the strong camaraderie and support within the MHP. Troop J’s job fair will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. Those interested in pursuing a career with MHP should submit their Cadet Class 69 applications no later than August 16th.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Law enforcement agencies across the country are facing staffing shortages and the Mississippi Highway Patrol is no exception.
“Our manpower is lower than it has ever been,” said Taylor Shows, Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper First Class.
According to programs, it seems that MHP cannot catch up.
“We’ve graduated patrol schools two years in a row in the last few years, but every time we graduate a class, we’re retiring more people,” Shows said. “So we can’t replace what we’re losing with each school.”
To address the workforce shortage, MHP forces are hosting job fairs across the state.
“It’s going to be a statewide event,” Shows said. “Every substation in the state, with the exception of Troop C, will have a job fair starting at 10 a.m. at their respective offices.
“We want to reach people who are still hesitant about applying for a 100% commitment”
According to Shows, the MHP is looking for hardworking people who are willing to commit themselves to the community.
“We need people and we need good people to sign up for this class and graduate from this class,” Shows said. “Anybody in this blue and gray uniform would be happy to have you and would be even happier to help you. Because the more people we can get here, the better we can serve the public of Mississippi, and that’s what the job is all about. It’s public service.”
Shows offered advice to anyone who still had doubts.
“I would say, don’t think about it, just do it,” Shows said. “Just do it. You won’t regret it, you won’t regret it. You won’t regret going to the Highway Patrol because this is just one big family.
“Everybody that wears this uniform, you got your back. No questions asked. Best career I’ve ever had, best career I’ll ever have, hands down.”
Troop J’s job fair will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at 35 JM Tatum Industrial Drive.
Applications for the Cadet Class 69 must be received no later than August 16th.
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