COLUMBUS, Miss. — The Columbus Police Department is warning the public that Joey Winford is no longer employed by the department and is not authorized to act on its behalf.
The department says it has received complaints that Winford continues to present department incident and case cards, along with a previously issued employee identification card, in a manner that leads people to believe he is still employed by the Columbus Police Department. Possession of those items does not establish current employment or authorization to represent the department, police said.
Anyone who has had contact with Winford while he was presenting himself as a current Columbus Police Department employee, or who needs to verify someone’s affiliation with the department, is asked to contact the department directly through its official channels.
The department posted the notice on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
