MSDPS General Assembly held, Ginn announces retirement plans
For the first time in the history of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MSDPS), all sworn law enforcement officers under MSDPS gathered at the Mississippi Trademart for a general assembly to hear from Governor Tate Reeves, Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, Commissioner Sean Tindell, and Mississippi Highway Patrol Colonel Randy Ginn.
At this assembly, Colonel Randy Ginn announced his retirement after 36 years of service to the state and citizens of Mississippi, effective Dec. 31. Ginn was named Colonel of the Mississippi Highway Patrol in June of 2020.
Before being named Colonel of the patrol, he held the rank of Lt. Colonel as Chief of the uniformed division for four years. Prior to that Ginn rose through the ranks and served as Captain for Troop G in Starkville from 2009-2013 and Northern Region Major from 2013-2016. Ginn graduated in 1987 in Cadet Class #45.
“I want to thank Colonel Ginn for his lifetime of service to Mississippi. His commitment to protecting this great state and its residents is deserving of recognition and commendation by all,” said Gov. Reeves. “I also want to congratulate Lt. Colonel Haynes on his promotion. I have the utmost confidence in his ability and integrity, and I’m confident that he will continue to lead the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the distinguished men and women who serve in the organization, to new heights.”
“It has been a blessing and an honor to spend my career with this great agency,” said Col. Ginn. “I have been privileged to work with the finest professional law enforcement officers in this state. The opportunities that exist for the men and women of the Mississippi Highway Patrol far exceed anything that could have been imagined when I began. I am confident that Colonel Charles Haynes is the right man to lead this great agency into a bright future.”
“Thank you to Colonel Ginn for his selfless service to the men and women of Mississippi, the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and our great state,” said Commissioner Sean Tindell. “Colonel Ginn has spent the entirety of his career making Mississippi a safer place. It has been an honor working with him throughout the years.”
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) Director, Lt. Colonel Charles Haynes, was also announced as the next Colonel of the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Haynes has been serving as MBI Director since May of 2022 and has worked nearly 20 years in law enforcement including with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Charles Haynes brings an unwavering dedication to his work and carries an abundance of experience in law enforcement. As he steps into the role of Colonel of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, his proven track record promises a future of strong leadership, safety, and progress for our state,” said Commissioner Sean Tindell. “I am proud to announce him as the new Colonel and excited to see the future of the agency.”
Haynes will be Colonel effective Jan. 1, 2024. This general assembly was the first of its nature in the history of this state agency. Commissioner Tindell’s address to the officers emphasized the importance of working together and moving forward to improve public safety in Mississippi, and he was quoted saying, “DPS can only be its best when each of you are at your best.”
