Jackson Police Chief Says Department Cannot Track Its Vehicles
JACKSON - The Jackson Police Department owns 449 vehicles, but only about 174 are in operating condition, and the chief told the City Council there is no reliable way to track where individual vehicles are or what has been spent to repair them.
The remarks came during a Jackson City Council budget workshop on Aug. 19, 2026, as the chief presented the department's fiscal year 2027 budget request. Addressing council members, the chief said, "I currently have no exact list from the garage where my vehicles are, what is the restate of repair, how much we've paid for each of those vehicles, how often that vehicle is breaking down." The comment came amid discussion of the department's vehicle needs for the coming fiscal year.
The gap in basic tracking raises questions about how the department has managed its fleet and what has been spent on repairs to date. With roughly two-thirds of its 449 vehicles out of operation, the department's request for additional vehicle funding comes as council members weigh whether existing resources have been accounted for. The disclosure touches on broader concerns about public spending and accountability within city departments as the council continues its budget review.