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Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade to retire
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade addresses city council after the announcement of his retirement.
Nearly a month after Joseph Wade resigned as Jackson Police Chief, the city is still weighing potential successors, including candidates from within the department.
Wade, who cited stress as the reason for his departure, announced his resignation effective Sept. 5 following an Aug. 26 Jackson City Council meeting. Wade now works as the director of security at Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones is currently serving as interim Jackson police chief while a “Law Enforcement Task Force” conducts a search for a permanent replacement — a process expected to take 30-to-60 days.
Mayor John Horhn previously said the search will cast a wide net, considering both internal and external candidates for chief.
“I have a preference for finding the best law enforcement leader we can find,” Horhn said at an August press conference. “Whether they’re homegrown, whether they’re from the region, whether they’re from some other part of this nation — that’s going to be our top priority.”
However, during a September public forum, all of the roughly 15 speakers expressed skepticism and concerns about hiring an outsider, favoring instead someone who rises through the ranks — similar to Wade’s own ascent.
The Clarion Ledger has compiled a list of four internal Jackson Police Department officials, listed high in police rankings, who could be potential successors to Wade. The list is in alphabetical order and not in the order of likelihood for confirmation as the next chief.
Sequerna Banks
Career: According to the City of Jackson webpage, Banks has over 30 years of service in law enforcement. She began her career with the Jackson Police Department in 1995 as a patrol officer, quickly earning recognition as Metro Top Cop. Rising through the ranks, Banks served as a Quality-of-Life Officer, Sergeant in both the Patrol Division and Property Crimes Unit and later as a Lieutenant. She went on to lead as Commander of Major Investigations and the Patrol Division before assuming her current role as Deputy Chief of the Investigative Services Bureau.
Position: Deputy Chief of Police, Investigative Services Bureau
Hired: July 2, 2023
Calls from the Clarion Ledger to Banks for comment went unreturned before press time.
Tyrone J. Buckley
Position: Deputy Chief of Police, Administrative Services Bureau
Hired: Jan. 21, 2001
Career: According to the City of Jackson webpage, Buckley is a 24-year veteran of the Jackson Police Department, currently leading the Administrative Support Services Division. A native of Sharon, Mississippi, Buckley has been instrumental in strategic planning, resource management and operational oversight since joining the department in 2001. Buckley oversees numerous critical units, including Fleet Management, the Real-time Crime Center, Public Information Office, Jail Operations, Records Management, Crisis Intervention and multiple community outreach programs. Buckley’s leadership ensures seamless coordination between executive leadership and department personnel. Throughout his career, Buckley has risen through the ranks — serving in Patrol, Investigations, and Administrative Bureaus — holding positions from Patrolman to Deputy Chief.
The Clarion Ledger spoke to Buckley via phone call Thursday, Sept. 25, and asked if he was vying for the position or not. Buckley did not answer with a specific yes or no but stated it’s the desire of most people to work their way up the ranks to become police chief, adding “I would love to become chief one day.”
Vincent M. Grizzell
Position: Assistant Chief of Police, Administration
Hired: Jan. 2, 1994
Career: According to the City of Jackson webpage, Grizzell is a dedicated law enforcement professional with deep roots in Jackson. Grizzell began his career with the Jackson Police Department in 1994 as part of the 20th Police Recruit Class and pursued higher education at Strayer University. Throughout his tenure, Grizzell has held various leadership roles, including Patrol Officer, Detective, Narcotics Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Precinct Commander. He has also served second in command of the S.W.A.T. team. As Assistant Chief of Administration, Grizzell oversees the critical support functions of the Administrative Services Bureau including the Real Time Command Center, Fleet Management, Public Safety Communications and the Adult Holding Facility.
The Clarion Ledger spoke to Grizzell after a Sept. 23 public forum and asked if he was vying for the position or not. Grizzell did not answer with a specific yes or no but stated, “That’s on God. And it’s up to the people. The chief position belongs to the people.”
Wendell E. Watts
Position: Assistant Chief of Police, Patrol Services Operation Division
Hired: Oct. 8, 2023
Career: According to the City of Jackson webpage, Watts has over 30 years in law enforcement in policing, security and emergency management. A Mississippi native, Watts has dedicated his career to public safety and community engagement. The Operations Division consists of the Patrol Services Bureau and the Investigative Services Bureau. Watts has risen through the ranks at JPD to hold key leadership roles, including Commander of the Gun Interdiction Unit —where he led a 55% reduction in violent crime — and Precinct 4 Commander. Watts also served as Captain at the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department and Director of Security and emergency Management at Merit Health Central. As the first Chief of Police for Gluckstadt, Watts established the department, municipal court and a 15,000-square-foot police complex.
Calls from the Clarion Ledger to Watts for comment went unreturned before press time.
Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.