Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Mississippi State University Police Department now has a state-of-the-art 911 emergency communications center after recent updates to the unit’s headquarters.

The communications center was unveiled with a ribbon cutting and open house Wednesday [Sept. 27] at MSUPD headquarters in the Butler Williams Building. The updated space will allow MSUPD dispatchers and officers to more effectively respond to 911 calls.

“This is a wonderful addition that will enhance the safety and security of the campus family,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “This new dispatch center will allow us to respond much more efficiently and effectively in times of emergency when anyone in the MSU family is in need.”

Renovations to the Butler Williams Building took place over the summer and included a new kitchen and interview room, in addition to the communications center. The new communications center contains two dispatcher units with all new equipment. MSU Chief of Police Vance Rice said the new equipment will allow the two stationed dispatchers to more effectively collaborate during emergencies.

“We want to thank Dr. Keenum and the MSU administration for their support in allowing us to build this new dispatch center,” Rice said. “It will be a great asset to our department, the university and the safety of the entire university community.”

Rice added that he realized MSUPD’s old kitchen was too small for the department, while the interview room was too big. To remedy the situation, the two rooms swapped locations.

“We gutted the kitchen and put up soundproofing sheetrock,” Rice said. “It’s a professional interview room like you see in police departments all over the country.”

MSU’s nationally accredited police department is part of the university’s Division of Student Affairs. The police department can be reached via phone call or text message at 662-325-2121. In emergencies, dial 911 for assistance.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.