Administration 

Ms. Sylvia Russell, Police Chief

Chief Sylvial Russell is the Director of the Police Department and is responsible for all facets of the department to include daily operations; training; communications and surveillance and crime prevention. She is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. Chief Russell also earned an Associates of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia Military College. She has over twenty years of law enforcement experience and is a veteran of the United States Army. You may contact her at (615) 963-5171, or by email at srussell@tnstate.edu.

Mr. James Kizer, First Shift Lieutenant

Lt. Kizer commands the 7am to 3pm shift and is the lead investigator for the department. He is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. Lt. Kizer has over twenty years of experience in law enforcement to include criminal investigations of major crimes and is currently serving as Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

Mr. Phillip Beene, Second Shift Lieutenant

Lt. Beene commands the 3 pm to 11 pm shift of the police deparment. He is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Lt. Beene has over twenty years of experience in law enforcement to include criminal investigations of major crimes and is a veteran of the United States Army.

Mr. Tony Blakely, Third Shift Lieutenant

Lt. Blakely commands the 11 pm to 7 am shift and is also the Residence Life Police and Security section of the Police Department. He is a graduate of Austin Peay State University with a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. Lt. Blakely also earned a Masters of Science Degree in Human Development and Leadership from Murray State University. Lt. Blakely has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement to include criminal investigations of major crimes and is a veteran of the United States Army.

Ms. Seliene Bignall, Crime Prevention Counselor

Ms. Bignall is the Crime Prevention Counselor for the Police Department. She is responsible for providing seminars and workshops for the TSU community to encourage safety and security on and off campus.She works directly with the Divison of Residence Life, First Year Student Programs and other agencies off campus. Ms. Bignall earned a Bachelors Degree from Louisiana Technical University and a Masters of Science Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Tennessee State University. Ms. Bignall is a Certified Counselor in the State of Tennessee and has served in numerous capacities guiding youth in Tennessee.

Ms. Carmelita Wallace, Call Center Coordinator

Ms. Wallace is the Call Center Coordinator and is responsible for coordinating the activities and training of the communication dispatchers and surveillance operators of the department. Ms. Wallace is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and has over 30 years of experience as a 911 Communication Center Operator with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Deparment.