Kern to become new Southaven police chief

Photo: Southaven Police Major Seth Kern, to be sworn in as Police Chief on May 20 (Credit Mayor Musselwhite/Facebook)

Southaven officials are announcing retirements and promotions at the top of the police department.  Police Chief Brent Vickers and Deputy Chief Jason Scallorn have announced their retirements, effective at the end of May. 

In their place, Major Seth Kern has been promoted to Police Chief and Major Alex Fennell will become the new Deputy Chief.  They will be sworn into office on May 20.  

Kern began his law enforcement career with the Coast Guard in 1997 in the Florida Keys. Five years later he joined the Florida State Police with that state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission as a sworn officer. Kern also served as a member of the Special Operations Group being deployed throughout Florida for dignitary security, as well as special assignments to Gulf Coast states for hurricane relief. Kern later was also with the Hernando County, Florida Sheriff’s Office before beginning with the Southaven Police Department in 2011. He worked his way up the ranks to his promotion to major in 2022.  

In addition, Kern has served as a Task Force Officer with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office Unit for Internet Crimes Against Children as well as the FBI’s Unit for Violent Crimes Against Children. He is a founding member of the Southaven Police Benevolent Fund and board member with Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center.