Mike Warren Leads Public Safety Department at Mississippi College

Mike Warren will become new director of the MC Department of Public Safety on March 1, 2016. He's a 34-year veteran with the Clinton Police Department.

Mike Warren will become the director of Mississippi College’s Department of Public Safety after serving as Clinton’s police chief the past three years. His appointment on the Clinton campus becomes effective March 1.

A 34-year Clinton Police Department veteran, Warren is a Clinton native and graduate of the Clinton public schools. He will succeed Stephen McCraney, who recently resigned his MC post to become chief of staff at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency in Pearl.

A veteran of the Mississippi Army National Guard, Warren brings extensive law enforcement experience and training to his new assignment in his hometown.

“Mississippi College is fortunate to have a new director with the knowledge, experience and leadership of Chief Warren,” said Steve Stanford, MC vice president for administration and government relations. “He knows the university and Clinton community. He will certainly ensure that all public safety operations continue to address and meet university needs.”

Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher joined the salute to Warren for his distinguished career with the city’s police force. “His rise from dispatcher to Chief is truly a great American success story. Over the years, Mike has made a great difference in the city, and his positive impact will be felt for years to come.”

Brent Perkins will remain as acting director at MC until Warren arrives. A longtime Clinton resident, Perkins will return to his previous job as assistant director of the MC department based at Alumni Hall.

During his tenure, Warren, 52,  has seen an expansion of the Clinton department from 36 patrolling officers in 2013 to 56 in 2016. He served for 14 years as Clinton police captain before being promoted to chief.

While it was a difficult decision to retire from his post in Clinton, Warren is delighted to be serving in a new role at Mississippi College. “I look forward to assimilating into the MC family and leading a department that provides the highest levels of safety and security for the students, faculty and staff of Mississippi College.”

He noted he’s familiar with many of the faculty and staff at Mississippi College. In addition, some Clinton Police Department officers have worked over the years with the MC Department of Public Safety.

Warren and his wife, Teresa, have been married more than 30 years and are members of First Baptist Church Clinton. They are the parents of two children, Brooks, a student at Mississippi State University, and Kristen, who is married to Josh Lancaster. Kristen and Josh are both Mississippi College graduates.

Warren’s retirement from the Clinton Police Department becomes effective February 29. The chief said he’s seen the MC Department of Public Safety grow in recent years “into a very professional group of people” under the direction of McCraney and Perkins at the 5,152-student Christian university.

While his new post at Mississippi College will be just a few miles away from Clinton police headquarters, Warren says he will miss the people he worked with. “They are and always will be special to me.”