Officer Jake Driskell said “being able to help people” is his motivation for being a police officer.
The Laurel Police Department got some additional help Monday as Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack swore Driskell in as Laurel’s newest police officer.
Driskell , who has worked for the past five years in law enforcement, just changed locations from a police officer with the Ellisville Police Department to the Laurel Police Department.
Mack swore Driskell into his new position Monday morning with various police officers and city officials attending the ceremony at the Laurel Police Station.
Driskell, a 26-year-old Taylorsville native, grew up in Smith County.
The new police officer is married and have a family. Driskell said his family is what inspired him to enter law enforcement.
“My grandfather worked as a policeman in Taylorsville,” he said. “I now have three uncles and a cousin in law enforcement.”
Driskell’s three uncles currently work each with the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Flora Police Department.
“It’s all around me,” he added. “It runs in the family.”
Driskell started in law enforcement in 2005 with the Newton Police Department. He later transferred to the Raleigh Police Department for a short time. In March of 2007, Driskell joined the Ellisville Police Department, where he served until joining the City of Laurel.
Now, Driskell is getting the opportunity to work for the Laurel Police Department as a patrolman.
Driskell said he took the new position because of the opportunities.
“I’ve always wanted to be on the street helping people,” Driskell said. “I came to Laurel because of the great people and the good opportunity.”
Driskell said he’s eager to serve the citizens of Laurel.
“I love law enforcement,” he said. “I like everything about it, especially being able to help protect people.”
Theresa Driskell, who attended the special ceremony, said she is proud of her son.
“I’m very proud of him. He is a good person who loves being involved in law enforcement,” she said. “He comes from a long-line of police officers and he enjoys this job.”
Mack said he’s pleased with the city’s new hire.
“I think he’s going to be a good police officer,” Mack said. “I think he will be good for the department and the community.”
Capt. Tommy Cox, Laurel Police Department’s patrol division commander, said the Laurel Police Department was able to hire Driskell to fill a vacancy on the police force bringing the department’s staff back up to its full capacity of 61 officers.
“We are in a very good position right now,” Cox said. “We were very lucky to be able to hire an experienced officer who can begin as an experienced patrol officer.
“It’s all worked out well,” Cox added. “Officer Driskell has a lot of experience in law enforcement and he will be a big asset to the police department.”
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Photo/Eloria Newell James
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