Rusty Keyes, Assistant Chief of Operations for The University of Southern Mississippi (USM)’s Police Department (UPD), has been appointed incoming chief, effective July 1. Keyes will succeed current Chief Bob Hopkins, who is set to retire June 30 after nearly two decades of outstanding service in the role.
“The University of Southern Mississippi is committed to providing a safe environment that fosters our students’ growth and development as socially responsible citizens,” said University President Rodney D. Bennett. “I have witnessed Assistant Chief Keyes’ genuine care and concern for the health and safety of our student body, and I am confident his commitment to their success, coupled with his professionalism and strong record of experience building partnerships on campus, in the community, and with multiple stakeholders groups, positions him well to lead our University Police Department into its next chapter.”
Keyes has been a law enforcement officer for nearly 30 years, first serving the Hattiesburg Police Department as a patrolman, narcotics officer, street crimes officer, detective, and as a detectives and patrol supervisor. He is a USM alumnus who joined UPD in 2006, first serving as detective lieutenant and then as detective captain, prior to assuming his current role as assistant chief in 2017.
“Assistant Chief Keyes’ expertise — in all facets of law enforcement — and his experience in community engagement will be critical as we continue our efforts to maintain a safe University community for our students, faculty, staff and guests on all of our campuses,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Dee Dee Anderson. “His experience has been a tremendous asset to the University of Southern Mississippi Police Department and the City of Hattiesburg. I look forward to his continued leadership in his new role.”
USM is home to one of the most respected and professional police departments at any institution in the country. UPD was the first police department at a Mississippi university to earn full national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies in 2009, and it is currently one of only two Mississippi university police departments accredited on both the national and state levels.
“Our mission as part of the Division of Student Affairs is to work every day to foster a connected and healthy learning environment,” Keyes said. “We want students to come to Southern Miss, get their education and graduate feeling safe and secure. We want faculty and staff to come to work every day with a feeling of safety. It is an honor to be named chief of police, and under my command UPD will always put the community first.”
Keyes is a Petal, Miss., native and a member of several national and state law enforcement associations. He is a member of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and has served on the board of directors for the Southern Miss M-Club. He is married to Maria Byrd Keyes. They have two daughters, Maisen, a sophomore at Jones College, and Rhian, a senior at South Jones High School.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 35 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 21 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.