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Court
Administrator - Odell Thompson
Phone: (228) 868-5855
CourtAdministrator@gulfport-ms.gov
Website: http://www.gulfport-ms.gov/court_main.shtml
The Gulfport Municipal Court is the busiest city court in the state of Mississippi in terms of volume. The court has recently installed a new filing system and doubled its budget for public defenders. In addition, the construction of a new 65,000-square-foot facility at the corner of 23rd Avenue and 15th Street in downtown has begun. The Mayor’s Office plans to relocate the city's police department headquarters, municipal court and other services to the new building, which will be named the Robert J. Curry Public Safety Center.
Odell Thompson, Jr. was selected to serve as the Municipal Court Administrator in March 2007. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Mr. Thompson retired from the Illinois State Police after 28 years of service. During his State Police career, Mr. Thompson served in numerous leadership and command position. In his last position with the State Police, Mr. Thompson served as the Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Mr. Thompson earned his Bachelors of Science degree from National-Louis University in Evanston, Illinois and his Masters degree in Police Administration from the University of Illinois in Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Thompson has additional professional education from Northwestern University and American University in Washington, D.C.
As an Eagle Scout, Mr. Thompson continued his involvement in scouting by serving as a Unit Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, Dupage Area Council. His community service also included serving as Commissioner on the City of Wheaton, Illinois Fire and Police and Liquor Control Commissions, Vice President of Wheaton/Carol Steam United Way Committee, and served as an officer on several Professional Law Enforcement Organizations. Since moving to the Coastal area he has served as an election poll manager and poll worker.
The responsibility of the Court Administrator is to plan, direct and manage the operations of the Municipal Court.
For more information, refer to the Court website.
The new Robert J. Curry Public Safety Center
