Jackson Mayor John Horhn announced on Friday that he is nominating RaShall Brackney, who has more than three decades of law-enforcement experience, as the City’s new chief of police. If confirmed, Brackney would be the third woman to hold the position in Jackson.
“Today, I am pleased to announce Dr. RaShall Brackney as my choice to serve as the next Chief of Police for the Jackson Police Department, following a national search and input from our community,” Mayor Horhn, who took office in July 2025, said in a statement on his Facebook page. “This appointment will move forward for City Council confirmation.”
The city conducted a months-long, nationwide search for its next police chief since Joseph Wade retired in August 2025. Brackney was the only woman in the list of four candidates announced in January. She spent 30 years with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police before taking on the role of police chief in Charlottesville, Virginia, before assuming the same position at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She holds a doctorate in instructional management and leadership from Robert Morris University, and she presently works as a university professor at George Mason University, where she teaches Special Topics in African and African American Studies and topics relating to law enforcement.
“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve the people of Jackson and to work alongside the dedicated men and women of the Jackson Police Department,” Brackney said in the City’s press release. “I’ve always believed that you can’t have real public safety without strong community trust. I look forward to listening to residents, partnering with neighborhood leaders, and supporting officers as we work to make every part of this city safer.”
“Dr. Brackney brings decades of experience, a strong commitment to accountability, and a clear focus on building trust between officers and the people they serve.” Horhn said. “My priority is reducing crime, strengthening JPD, and making sure every neighborhood feels protected and respected as we move Jackson forward.”
Jackson Police Chief and Hinds County Sheriff Tyree D. Jones congratulated the mayor on his selection. Jones has served in both capacities since Wade retired.
“Dr. Brackney brings a distinguished record of leadership and a strong commitment to community‑focused policing,” Jones said in a statement on Facebook. “I look forward to working with her as she proceeds through the confirmation process and during the transition phase to ensure stability, continuity, and a smooth transfer of leadership within the Jackson Police Department.”
“Upon Dr. Brackney’s confirmation and her officially assuming office, I will formally resign my position as Chief of Police,” he continued. “In my ongoing capacity as Sheriff of Hinds County, I remain committed to strengthening the partnership between the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department. Together, we will continue advancing collaborative strategies that enhance public safety, accountability, and service to the residents of Jackson and Hinds County.”
The Jackson City Council must confirm Brackney’s appointment.