Meet Houston PD’s first female African American investigator

HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI) – A law officer at one Northeast Mississippi police department is the first female investigator for the city.

Alecia Jennings spends a lot of time in her mobile office.

Jennings spent three years as a patrol officer for the Houston Police Department, and recently, she was promoted to investigator.

Jennings is the first African American woman to serve in each of these roles.

“It’s just a blessing, that I could succeed in my career this quickly a lot of people have to work many years to get where I am at now, it’s a blessing, I’m thankful.”

Houston’s newest investigator worked for years with Head Start, she then went to the Chickasaw County Jail, first as a board operator, and eventually landing a job as a jailer. She graduated from the Mississippi Police Academy in 2016.

Jennings believes establishing trust and positive relationships with community members is vital to good police work.

“You have to have that type of communication where you can go into these neighborhoods, and say, listen, who did this, someone willing to talk to you, you just have to be a people person,” said Jennings.

Investigator Jennings said she has had an interest in law enforcement for as long as she can remember. In fact, protecting and serving others runs in her family.

“My aunt, she is the chief of police of Calhoun City, I followed in her footsteps, she’s a great inspiration for me.”

Jenning’s aunt is Calhoun City Police Chief Latana Williams.

Jennings looks forward to making her family, co workers and community proud for many years to come.