Oxford police chief Daniel Phipps joined with other area law enforcement leaders as part of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce’s State of Law Enforcement forum on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Jacksonville Safety Complex.

Leaders from Anniston, Piedmont, Weaver, Ohatchee, Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, Gadsden State, the county sheriff’s office, and the district attorney’s office each reported on the accomplishments and goals of their respective departments.

Phipps said the Oxford Police Department considers itself a part of the team of agencies who are there to help each other when needed.

“Our helicopter was recently there for one of the other’s calls,” Phipps said. “Believe it or not, Oxford doesn’t have a big K-9 program, but Anniston does. I have called upon them several times. If any of these agencies need us, all they have to do is call. I know if I need them, I just have to call or text, and they are there. We are a community.”

Phipps said the department is budgeted for 77 officers and currently has 74 active, and the year has brought 10 new vehicles to the fleet, taking the place of older ones whose replacement was delayed because of the pandemic.

“Keeping our officers on the roads, quick and safe, maintains the level of service our community expects of us,” Phipps said.

Phipps noted the importance of the Public Safety program now available to regional high school students at the CREATE Center.

“It’s geared more towards law enforcement, but also touches across the board on fire and EMS,” Phipps said. “Our partner agencies come in to help with this training. I’m proud to say last year there were 20 students, and this year there are 80 students enrolled. These are the young men and women who will someday be taking our place, and this hopefully motivates them to stay in law enforcement.”

Phipps also presented some data on Oxford crime reports and law enforcement response.

“From January through September 2025, we received 973 crime reports. During that same period this year, it dropped to 919,” Phipps said. “We know every crime is not reported, but we believe our patrols and the visible pole cameras with the flashing blue lights throughout the city help deter criminal activity.”

He said the Criminal Investigations Unit maintained a 91 percent clearance rate for the year, calling it “an amazing record and fantastic.”

Phipps said the department has responded to 25,878 calls for service - which range from a traffic accident to just getting a copy of a police report - during the first nine months of 2026, compared to the average annual number of 34,000 calls.

“Behind every one of these numbers - whether responding to a call, investigating a case, or a citizen asking for help - I am proud of the men and women of the Oxford Police Department who show up every day to provide first-class protection and service to the citizens of Oxford,” Phipps said