Jackson Police Chief James E. Davis announces retirement. What we know

After three decades of service to the Jackson Police Department, Police Chief James E. Davis announced his retirement effective immediately in a press conference Friday morning with Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.

Assistant Police Chief Joseph Wade has been named as interim Chief as a search process gets underway for a permanent replacement the mayor announced.

Davis had served as Jackson’s Police Chief for approximately five years. He spent his first 10 years at the department as a patrol officer before becoming the first Black Range Master at the Jackson Police Department Training Academy.

He later advanced to the rank of sergeant, followed by lieutenant of precinct 3. From there, Davis went on to become district commander, deputy chief and then assistant chief. Chief Davis also served 15 years on the department’s SWAT teams.

“As I enter the next phase of my life, I look forward to traveling and spending more time with my family and friends and exploring new personal and professional opportunities,” Davis said in making the announcement.

Asked if that means he might accept some other law enforcement assignment, Davis replied, “No time soon.”

He thanked Lumumba for the opportunity of serving as chief which he described as “the greatest honor” of his career.

“I always remind myself each and every day that I wake up who I serve, first God, and then man. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Jackson,” Davis said.

Lumumba highlighted many of Davis’ accomplishments during his tenure as chief, including training at a recent Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute hosted in Scotland.

He is also credited with establishing the department’s first “real time command center” providing a 21st century tools for policing in Jackson.

“These types of tools enable cities across the nation to better serve their residents,” Lumumba said.

Davis was also instrumental in creating collaboration with organizations such as faith in blue, implementing citizen and clergy police academies, and leading the city through emergencies such as the water crisis and flooding events.

“In his time as police chief I have found him to be sincere about the mission of protecting the residents of Jackson.  I am grateful for his service. I call him and consider him a friend,” Lumumba said.

Lumumba introduced Wade as the interim police chief, effective immediately, “as we do an extensive evaluation in search of the leadership going forward.”

The position of interim chief is limited by state law to a maximum of 90 days, the mayor noted.

“But with that said we have confidence that he (Wade) has the know-how and understanding to continue the necessary leadership within the Jackson Police Department,” Lumumba said.

Wade said he looks forward to taking on the role of interim police chief.

“First of all, I want to thank Chief Davis for his commitment and service to the citizens of Jackson and the Jackson Police Department,” Wade said. “Certainly, I want to thank the mayor for his belief in my ability and my capacity to serve as the interim chief. I want to thank the hard-working men and women of the Jackson Police Department for the work that they do every single day. Public safety for the citizens of Jackson is my mission, my passion and my calling, and I ask for their support and prayers during this transition.”

A moment of silence was also taken during Friday’s announcement in the memory of Hinds County Court Judge LaRita Cooper-Stokes who died May 8. She had formerly served on the Jackson City Council where her husband, Kenneth Stokes, currently serves as councilman for Ward 3. She was a graduate of Lanier High School, Jackson State University and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. From 1990 until 1996 she served as a staff attorney for the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS Police Chief James E. Davis announces retirement