Brandon Police Chief William Thompson announced a changing of the guard Tuesday morning in a letter addressed to the media.

Thompson said his last day as police chief will be September 30 as he is retiring after almost 3 decades.

The letter, dated August 30, reads as follows:

After many months of thought and planning, I have decided to resign my position and retire as the Chief of Police of Brandon, MS effective September 30, 2022. I have accepted an opportunity to work and travel internationally. Though I thoroughly enjoyed my position as Chief of Police, now is a good time to pass the reigns to a new chief who will continue to keep Brandon one of the safest places to live in Mississippi. The past 27 years has been eventful to say the least and I will take with me memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I would like to thank the Brandon Board of Alderman for the opportunity to serve as your Chief of Police for the past nine years. I would like to thank city of Brandon attorney, Mark Baker, for always being truthful and honest with me and rarely failed to answer the phone when I called. I would like to thank the Brandon City Clerk, Angela Bean, for her patience with me, especially during the first few years as chief as I transitioned from being a police officer to an administrator. And most of all, I would like to thank Mayor Butch Lee for not only his leadership but his tolerance of me and understanding the transformation society is currently undergoing and its effects on law enforcement.

I cannot forget to recognize past and present members of the Brandon Police Department and Jackson Police Department who corrected me when I was wrong and supported me when I was right.

Again, it was an honor and a pleasure to serve as you chief the past nine years. I expect nothing but continued stellar performance from the Brandon Police Department and stand ready to assist my successor in any way I can.

Very Respectfully

William A. Thompson Jr.
Chief of Police (Ret.)