The Southaven Police Department has announced major changes to its leadership, with the upcoming retirements of its current Police Chief and Deputy Chief. In a recent social media post, Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite revealed that Chief Brent Vickers and Deputy Chief Jason Scallorn are set to retire at the end of May. In anticipation of the vacancies, Major Seth Kern is slated to step in as the new Chief of Police, with his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for next Tuesday, as reported by Local Memphis.
Major Alex Fennell is also climbing the ranks, getting promoted to the position of Deputy Chief alongside Kern's ascension. Kern and Fennell both hail from the Southaven Police Department's own, with Kern serving the community since his start in 2011, gradually rising from a patrol officer to his recent position as Major in 2022, according to details shared by DeSoto County News. Kern's extensive portfolio spans tasks like participating in the SWAT team and specializing in the resolution of crimes against children in collaboration with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and the FBI.
Originally from South Carolina, Kern brings a wealth of experience acquired before his time in Southaven, including an extensive career with the United States Coast Guard, beginning in 1997, and further law enforcement roles in Florida. Notably, he also contributed to hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, as noted in his profile shared by Action News 5.
Mayor Musselwhite expressed confidence in the appointed successors, stating that, "Major Seth Kern will be sworn in as the new chief of police May 20." This transition is seen as an opportunity to continue advancing community safety initiatives, with a focus on the legacy that the outgoing officials have established, as detailed by Local Memphis' report.
