Chief Michael Barton

Associate Vice President of Health and Public Safety/Chief of Police
msbarton@jsu.edu
Office: (256) 782-5277
Cell: (256) 312-2890

Chief Michael Barton was appointed Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety for Jacksonville State University (Jax State) in January of 2021 and began serving as an Adjunct Instructor in 2022, teaching through the Student Success Center and The Department of Emergency Management and Public Administration. In October 2024, he was appointed as Jax State's Associate Vice President of Health and Public Safety, with leadership and oversight for the Campus Community's law enforcement, emergency management, behavioral health, and physical health services. Chief Barton also serves as a member of the MPA Advisory Council, Inaugural President of the Jax State Staff Council, Recipient of the Jax State Distinguished Service Award, and Chair; Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police Higher Education Caucus.

A veteran of public safety, serving since the year 2000, he strives to fulfill his life's calling to “make a positive difference in the lives of others". Chief Barton has worked through senior leadership roles in non-profit, county, state, and federal public safety organizations. These responsibilities have included the disciplines of fire/EMS service, law enforcement, corrections/detention, emergency management, homeland security, emergency communications, and crisis negotiations. He was also assigned as a task force officer on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, appointed as Special Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Northern District of Alabama.

Chief Barton earned his baccalaureate degree in Emergency Management from Jax State, a certificate of graduate studies in Criminal Justice Education Leadership from the University of Virginia, and his Master of Public Administration from Jax State. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Leadership Academy, the Alabama County Government Education Institute, and is an Alabama Certified Law Enforcement Executive. Chief Barton has volunteered on non-profit boards within the region and actively serves in his local church. He is married to his high school sweetheart and together they are the proud parents of their son and daughter.