Ole Miss Hires New Police Chief

OXFORD, Miss. – Tim Potts, a 24-year veteran in law enforcement who has been working in a leadership role at Purdue University, will become the University of Mississippi’s next chief of police. He takes over June 15.

Potts, a native of Brookston, Indiana, replaces Calvin Sellers, who retired as UM’s police chief on May 31. Potts comes to Ole Miss after having served since 2003 as captain of patrol and administrative operations at Purdue, in West Lafayette, Indiana. There, he managed a patrol division of 30 officers, 13 dispatchers and a division of four detectives. He has 18 years of campus police experience.

“I am humbled and honored by my selection to serve as the next director-chief of police for the University of Mississippi Police Department,” Potts said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and working with not only the team at the police department, but with our partners around campus and the Oxford community, especially the students.

“I am anxious and excited to become part of the Ole Miss family.”

Potts received his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College in Renssalaer, Indiana, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. He’s also a trained assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., and he travels to different police departments to help with their accreditation inspections.

Mindy Sutton, UM assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students, led the search committee that hired Potts. She said he’s a great fit to lead the department.

“From his current and previous positions, Tim has valuable experiences and insight that will benefit the entire UM community in his role as chief of police,” Sutton said. “I’m looking forward to the ideas, enthusiasm and energy he will bring to our division and to the campus.”

Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs, said she’s excited about Potts joining the university’s leadership.

“He is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional with extensive training and experience,” Hephner LaBanc said. “He brings a level of energy and commitment to this role that will serve our students and broader campus community very well. I am confident Chief Potts will continue to build upon our reputation of safety, as well as enhance our security infrastructure