Grants provide new vehicles, equipment for MPSD campus police

Published 10:42 am Thursday, January 8, 2026

By MPSD Report

Thanks to two recently awarded grants, the Meridian Public School District Campus Police are able to buy four new vehicles and radio equipment for its officers. Submitted photo

Safety on Meridian Public School District campuses just got a powerful upgrade. Thanks to two recently awarded grants, the MPSD Campus Police Department is able to purchase four new patrol vehicles and updated radio equipment for those vehicles.

The MPSD Campus Police was the recipient of a $100,000 Mississippi Cooperative Operations for Public Safety grant, which is designated to support school safety initiatives.

With the age of some of the district’s patrol fleet dating back to 2016, MPSD Campus Police Chief Cornelius Parks is thankful that the MCOPS grant will allow the district to replace some of the older vehicles using grant funds.

“With maintenance costs increasing and some of our fleet reaching the end of its lifespan, the awarding of the MCOPS grant could not have come at a better time,” said Parks. “The investment helps reduce long-term maintenance costs and increases the response time of our officers on and around our school campuses.”

The grant allowed the purchase of four Chevrolet Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicles, which are purpose-built police vehicles designed to meet the operational and safety needs of school-based law enforcement officers.

The department was also the recipient of a $12,000 grant awarded by the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security Grant Program to purchase additional equipment for department operations.

“We are thankful for the support of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security through this grant program,” said Parks. “We appreciate the community’s continued support as we work to protect our students and staff while using available resources wisely.”