ASU Chief of Police  Melvin Maxwell

The Alcorn State University community is a safer place to live and learn with Melvin Maxwell as police chief.  Maxwell has extensive experience with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, where he served in various positions for 24 years until his retirement in 2002. Maxwell was engaged in private business for two years and in 2004, he accepted former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour’s appointment as deputy commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.  

Norris Allen Edney, interim president of Alcorn State University, said he was pleased to hire someone with Maxwell’s experience and qualifications.  “Chief Maxwell brings a proven track record of public safety and police work to Alcorn,” Edney stated.  “Maxwell is a strong leader who is well respected throughout the law enforcement community.  His past experiences will be invaluable to the University family.” 

 Maxwell is a native of DeSoto County, Mississippi, where he attended public school and graduated from Hernando High School. He attended Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Mississippi, and later received his associate degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo Community College in St. Leo, Florida, while serving for the United States Air Force. 

 “Alcorn is a great institution with an incredible reputation,” said Maxwell.  “This is a beautiful campus to call home and a fabulous place to work.  I am looking forward to a productive tenure at Alcorn. The Department is in the process of hiring new employees to ensure public safety on campus.” 

 Maxwell is the son of Nathaniel and Maple Maxwell of Hernando, Mississippi. He has two children.