RaShall Brackney Confirmed as New Jackson Police Chief

Brackney brings over three decades of experience to lead the Jackson Police Department.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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RaShall Brackney has been confirmed as the new police chief of Jackson, Mississippi after the Jackson City Council approved Mayor John Horhn's appointed candidate in a 6-to-1 vote. Brackney, who has over three decades of experience from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and previously served as police chief in Charlottesville, Virginia and at George Washington University, will begin her new role on April 1.

Why it matters

Brackney's appointment comes after the previous Jackson police chief retired, marking a significant transition for the department. As the third woman to serve as Jackson's police chief, Brackney's selection highlights the increasing diversity in law enforcement leadership roles.

The details

Brackney was selected from four finalists after a months-long search process led by Mayor Horhn. In addition to her extensive policing experience, Brackney also holds a doctorate in instructional management and leadership, bringing an academic perspective to the role. Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote was the lone dissenting vote, stating that Brackney was "much too educated and too charming to be police chief."

  • Brackney will begin her role as Jackson's new police chief on April 1, 2026.
  • The previous police chief, Joseph Wade, retired on August 26, 2025.

The players

RaShall Brackney

The new police chief of Jackson, Mississippi, bringing over three decades of experience from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and previous roles as police chief in Charlottesville, Virginia and at George Washington University.

John Horhn

The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi who appointed Brackney as the new police chief.

Ashby Foote

The Ward 1 Councilman in Jackson who was the lone dissenting vote against Brackney's confirmation.

Joseph Wade

The previous police chief of Jackson who retired on August 26, 2025.

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What they’re saying

“This has been a long and arduous process. It's been well-thought-out. It's been a grueling process, but in the end, we think that we have found the right candidate and the right selection to lead our law enforcement efforts in the city of Jackson.”

— John Horhn, Mayor of Jackson (mississippifreepress.org)

“Jackson, I am so excited. I have understood my entire life that public safety does not happen in a vacuum. It is not one single police department, not one single public safety agency that can do this work. The most important part of the equation is the community—the people that live in the community [and] the people that are served by this community.”

— RaShall Brackney (mississippifreepress.org)

“She's much too educated and too charming to be police chief.”

— Ashby Foote, Ward 1 Councilman (Mississippi Today)

What’s next

Brackney will begin her role as Jackson's new police chief on April 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Brackney's appointment as Jackson's new police chief, the third woman to hold the position, highlights the increasing diversity in law enforcement leadership roles and the value of bringing both practical experience and academic expertise to the role of police chief.