Tindell announces leadership changes at Department of Public Safety

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be welcoming some changes to leadership beginning next week.

Deputy Commissioner Keith Davis has been named colonel of the agency’s Law Enforcement Division (LED). This division will include the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, Capitol Police, Crime Stoppers, and Public Safety Planning. LED will work in unison with all local, state, and federal agencies.

Allen McDaniel has been appointed to fill the position of DPS chief of staff. In this role, McDaniel will develop and coordinate statewide initiatives in line with Commissioner Sean Tindell’s vision to ensure a unified effort. Before joining DPS, McDaniel served as the executive director of the National Guard Association of Mississippi since 2017.

The appointed chief of staff is a 34-year veteran with both enlisted and commissioned service, including state judge advocate for Mississippi, active-duty deployment to Iraq, disaster relief activation in Mississippi, and command of an engineering company. McDaniel has extensive experience in private law practice representing law enforcement agencies in state and federal courts as well as preparing policies and procedures.

Major Phillip Pope is being promoted to lieutenant colonel and chief of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Pope has been serving as the interim in this role since February 2024. Previously serving as enforcement major for the central region, he and his team are responsible for the dismantling of several drug trafficking organizations responsible for importing large amounts of drugs into our communities. Pope has worked within the ranks of MBN for nearly two decades. Before his time with MBN, he was a conservation officer with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and lieutenant over the training division.

Josh Bromen has been named the executive director of the Board of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. The board aims to keep law enforcement officers well-educated on developments and equipped to meet society’s growing needs to ensure public safety across the state.

Bromen is charged with enhancing training protocols and professional standards within the state while guaranteeing the office operates with the highest levels of integrity, effectiveness, and community engagement. Previously, Bromen served as the deputy chief of police at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Police Department from October 2021 to March 2024. Prior to that, he was the director of the Mississippi Analysis and Information Center and a commander in the Gulfport Police Department.

“I am confident in these leaders, who bring many years of experience and a strong commitment to managing resources, utilizing cutting-edge technology to reduce crime, and making Mississippi safer every day,” Tindell said. “I am excited to see the work they will accomplish in their respective divisions and for the Department of Public Safety.”

According to Tindell, the newly-appointed leaders will begin serving in their roles on Monday, July 1.