What is a Constable?

The largest percentage of the population of the County never deals or comes into contact with the Constable while in performance of his /her official duties. Therefore, many people don't know what a constable actually does or can do. Knowing this, I thought it would be appropriate to give a brief overview of the Office of Constable.

Historically, the title comes from the Latin comes stabuli (count of the stables) and originated from the Eastern Roman Empire; originally, the constable was the officer responsible for keeping the horses of a lord or monarch.

Today in Mississippi, the Constable is an officer of the Justice Court who has the authority and responsibility to keep the peace of the county by upholding, enforcing and notifying other

officials of laws being broken.

The Constable's primary job is a process server of criminal and civil papers for the Justice Court. He / She is also authorized to serve process for Circuit and Chancery Courts.

While a constable has the authority to make arrests for violations of the law, just as a Sheriff does, the constable only gets paid for performing certain duties such as serving process (summons, subpoenas, writs etc..) and serving as a Court Bailiff.

The constable provides his /her own vehicle and fuel expense while the county may help provide some equipment such as radios, vehicle markings or decals and emergency lights and sirens.

Why do I want this Job?

First of all, I am of the Old fashioned mentality that keeping the peace can make a difference and help us to live better lives. Matthew 5:9 says blessed are the peace keepers for they shall be called sons of God. I would love to have any position that allows me to do this.

Secondly, I love being a resident of Carroll County and I believe Constable is a position where I can continue to serve the county and its people well. Growing up, you are taught that different people are better at different things and to utilize the things you are good at. I believe this position utilizes my knowledge, ability, experience and most of all my passion.

While I can name several reasons of why I would like to continue to serve as constable, I believe they can all be generalized in the two listed above as well as this final reason. The public view of law enforcement over time has begun to change from something that helps you and protects you to something that is out to get you and be mean. I would like every opportunity to restore the public faith in their law enforcement officials as a group of people who care about them and protect them. This is something that can be difficult to do because the job does require punishment of crimes to people who commit them and therefore takes the right person doing the job to restore this trust and faith.

Why am I qualified for the position?

• Resident of Vaiden, MS
• More than 21 years of Law Enforcement Experience
• Began career in 1997 as a 911 operator for the Leflore County Sheriff's Department
• Worked at the Greenwood Police Department for 9 years
• Worked for the Carroll County Sheriff's Department for 8 years
• Currently the Director of Training for Impaired Driving Enforcement in the State of Mississippi
• Currently serves as the Carroll County Southern District Constable for the 2nd term
• Proven leadership experience as Past President of (3) three different statewide law enforcement organizations

My 21 plus years of Law Enforcement experience has definitely taught me things that I will never learn in a classroom, which is most definitely an asset for the job. I have made arrests and been involved in investigations from DUI's and domestic violence to drug sales and murder. As a municipal police officer and a deputy sheriff, I have some experience in every aspect of the job. I even have experience in budgets and financial paperwork as a project director of federal grant money for the Greenwood Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff's Department and the Oxford Police Department. For the past 7 years, I have been responsible for preparing the Carroll County Constable budget.

I also served the Greenwood Police Department as the Assistant Commander of the SWAT team for 4 years.

Classroom experience is also something I have plenty of, some of which is listed below:

• State certified Law Enforcement Officer
• 3 Levels of SWAT (special weapons and tactics) training
• 3 levels of accident (vehicle crash) reconstruction
• Master Instructor of DUI enforcement for the State of Mississippi
• Certified Drug Recognition Expert
• Mississippi SFST and DRE State Training Coordinator
• Instructor of Advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement
• Advanced officer survival training
• Risk management training
• Advanced search and seizure training
• TCAP (traveling criminal apprehension program) training
• State Qualified Firearms Instructor

Beyond classroom training and hands on training, I believe the final and most important qualification I have is a heart and passion for the job as well as a heart and a passion for people.

Law Enforcement can be a burn out job because every day you get to see the worst the world has to offer. You see things that most of the world is sheltered from and never knows exists. Your constant motivation has to be the fact that you know it would be a lot worse if there were nobody doing the job of a law enforcement officer. Law Enforcement is not the highest paying career one can get into, but I can honestly say that I am blessed to have a job and a career that I have loved doing from the first day.

Another very important reason for a law enforcement officer to have a heart and passion for the job, is it helps you treat people fairly even when they may be doing wrong. We can't always depend on our mind to make the best decision in difficult situations but these are times when your heart leads you in the right direction.

Are there people who, over my 21 year career, have hated me because I have had to maybe arrest them or write them a ticket? I'm sure there are! Are there also people who have thanked me for doing my job even when that included arresting them? Yes, more times than I can count!! I believe it takes a special talent for a Law Enforcement Officer to get a sincere thank you from someone after you have arrested them.

In conclusion I think re-electing me as constable would be a good decision. As always, I can say I would continue to put my heart and passion into the Office of Constable.

I believe my reasons for wanting the job and my qualifications for doing it should help you make this decision. Thank you for all of your help and support. Hopefully, I can continue to serve as your Constable!