Rochell Denise Staten
Rochell Staten, MBA, FBINA #292, serves as Lieutenant and Shift Commander at the Jackson Police Department, where she leads 18–26 officers and multiple sergeants in enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, and ensuring public safety. She has commanded high-risk incidents, including officer-involved shootings, narcotics operations, and crisis situations, while collaborating with local and federal task forces, such as the ATF, the Missouri FBI Drug Task Force, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the TN 27th District Drug Task Force, to dismantle complex criminal networks. Lt. Staten is renowned for her dedication to community engagement and strategic policing initiatives, emphasizing servant leadership, integrity, and the development of strong, mission-focused teams. Breaking barriers throughout her career, Lt. Staten became the first Black female patrol supervisor and later the first person of color from her department to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy, a department-wide eleven-week program designed to enhance leadership and law enforcement skills. Her achievements extend beyond policing: she is co-creator of The Place-Jackson, a non-profit recovery home for homeless women, and serves as an adjunct professor at Bethel University, teaching Crisis Management in Business and mentoring future leaders. A professional bodybuilder and lifelong athlete, Lt. Staten demonstrates a commitment to health, resilience, and lifelong learning, while also prioritizing her family, including helping her younger sister care for a child with special needs. Lt. Staten holds two master’s degrees, an MBA in Business Administration from Bethel University and a Liberal Arts degree from the University of Memphis, Tennessee. She has received multiple recognitions for her humanitarian work, including the Humanitarian Award from Bridging the Gap TN. She is celebrated for her perseverance, leadership, and dedication to breaking generational barriers in law enforcement. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys travel, fitness, and pursuing new challenges, including skydiving and writing her life story, exemplifying a philosophy of lifelong growth and service.
• Graduate Certificate, Criminal Justice/Police Science
• Bethel University of Tennessee - MBA
• Southwestern Illinois College - AA
• University of Memphis - MA
• University of Memphis - BPS
• Dyersburg State Community College
• Humanitarian Award from Bridging the Gap
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible support of a “tribe” of women God placed in my life—mentors and friends who have taught me invaluable lessons and believed in me as I found my path. I faced challenges early on, moving in with my father my senior year of high school to escape a difficult situation with my mother, and I knew I needed to earn a scholarship to attend college. By chance, I was encouraged to try cross-country and track, and I discovered a talent I didn’t know I had, ultimately earning a full college scholarship. My grandmother, who only had a third-grade education, instilled in me the importance of pursuing my education, telling me that with it, I could achieve anything, regardless of my skin tone or circumstances. Motivated by her faith in me, I pursued higher education, earning multiple degrees, and committed myself to making a difference. Through resilience, mentorship, and determination, I have been able to honor her legacy and carve a path of personal and professional success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from a deputy chief long before I started making rank: "Never let them steal your smile.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering law enforcement is to understand that it is very different from what you see on TV. Success in this field requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to pay your dues. You need to approach the job with clear eyes and an open heart, recognizing that it will challenge you in ways you might not expect. Life experiences, setbacks, or personal challenges don’t disqualify you; in fact, they can make you stronger and more empathetic. You must be prepared to face situations that are difficult, uncomfortable, or even frustrating, and understand that the very challenges you may initially resist are often the ones that teach you the most and allow you to make a meaningful impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value loyalty, dependability, honesty, fairness, and consistency.