By Donell Maxie, Communication and Marketing Director
Shirlene Anderson, a 1975 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), has etched her name into history as a trailblazer in law enforcement. She broke barriers as the first Black female agent of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) and later as the first female chief of police for the City of Jackson. Her career, spanning over thirty years, has been marked by leadership, resilience, and a commitment to justice.
Anderson began her law enforcement career in 1976 alongside Doris Johnson-Holt, as the two became the first Black women to serve as agents for MBN. Over the years, she steadily rose through the ranks, earning promotions from agent to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major, and eventually lieutenant colonel—the first woman in the history of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Mississippi Highway Patrol to achieve this rank.
Throughout her tenure with MBN, Anderson took on increasing levels of responsibility. She was a district supervisor overseeing narcotics operations across a 10-county area, including Attala, Bolivar, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Montgomery, Sunflower, and Washington counties. She later became a regional supervisor, managing four field offices in North Mississippi—Greenwood, Oxford, Tupelo, and Starkville. In October 1997, she was appointed Chief of Enforcement and Deputy Director, overseeing the state's narcotics enforcement efforts.
Anderson retired from MBN in 2004 after 32 years of service, but her influence in law enforcement was far from over.
On July 7, 2005, Anderson made history again when she was appointed as the first female chief of police for the City of Jackson, Mississippi. In her new role, she continued her mission to enhance public safety, reform policing practices, and foster stronger community relationships.
Anderson, a graduate of MVSU with a bachelor's degree in education, also pursued extensive professional training. She graduated from the Mississippi Highway Patrol Class 47B in 1991 and completed advanced law enforcement training at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Academy in Washington, D.C., and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Beyond her distinguished career in law enforcement, Anderson remains dedicated to mentorship and community service. She volunteers with the "Getting Ahead While Getting Out" program at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, supporting justice-involved individuals in reentry. She is also a board member of the Alcohol Services Center, Inc. She has worked with the National Federation of the Blind and the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service’s Connect 1 Summits.
Anderson’s affiliations include being a lifetime Mississippi Valley State University Alumni Association member and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). She is also an active Pleasant Springs Baptist Church member in Leland, Mississippi, serving as a church trustee and usher.
Anderson’s groundbreaking career has paved the way for future generations of law enforcement officers, particularly women and minorities. Through her leadership, advocacy for fair policing, and dedication to community service, she has left an indelible mark on Mississippi’s criminal justice system.
Her legacy continues to inspire young professionals in law enforcement, proving that perseverance, integrity, and commitment to justice can break barriers and reshape the future of policing.