NATCHEZ — The field may have dropped to three, but the remaining candidates vying for constable in the northern district all have years of law enforcement experience they are ready to devote to the position.

Ray Brown

Brown, the incumbent in the race, said he decided to run for reelection because he wanted to continue to serving his community.

“I felt like I have done a good job of serving and protecting the community,” he said. “And I feel like I have done that for 16 years with dignity, loyalty and respect toward the community.”

Brown said other than his 22 years of law enforcement experience, his bonds with the community give him the qualifications for continuing to serve as constable.

“I have a good relationship with the community as a whole, he said. “I work well with other agencies and the court, and I feel like I have done a good job in serving over the years.”

Brown said the constable serves as the peacemaker of the county, and the job is not something to take lightly.

“The constable is here to serve and protect the community,” he said. “The constable aids all law enforcement officers and enforces all laws in the state.”

Brown said if he is elected, he will continue to bring his best efforts to the position.

“You have to try and be a part of the solution, not the entire solution,” he said. “That is the only way to make things better in the community.”

Daryl Walker

Walker said his move into the political world was triggered by a desire to make things better in Natchez.

“I have heard a lot of people complain about the political situation in the county, and (constable) is the only position I feel qualified enough to run for,” he said. “I have 21 years of law enforcement experience, and I thought I would throw my hat into the ring to try and help in any way I can.”

Walker said his experience as a law enforcement officer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation makes him the prime candidate for the job.

“The constable is basically law enforcement for the county,” he said.

“That is what I have been doing for the past 20 years.”

Walker said a constable is basically a police officer without an office.

“The constable has full police power,” he said. “In situations where law enforcement is needed, the constable can act as needed.”

Walker said if he is elected, he will devote his time and energy to making sure Natchez is a better place.

Murray L. Warnock Sr.

As a former constable in Natchez, Warnock said he is seeking office again to help the children in Natchez.

“I want to see the children in this area grow up,” he said. “We need to have more officer drive bys and be in the schools to make sure everything is fine, because it is a proven fact that the more you see a car patrolling an area, the lower the crime goes down because of the presence.”

Warnock said his ability to make the constable position a full-time commitment, coupled with his constable and law enforcement background make him the prime candidate for the job.

“I will be patrolling all neighborhoods and areas with schools,” he said. “If any resident ever needs me for anything, all they have to do is get a hold of me, and I will do my best to help.”

Warnock said many people from the community asked him to run for constable due to his experience.

“People have just come up to me and asked me to run because they wanted someone new,” he said.

Warnock said the constable serves papers, carries out summons and serves as an on duty officer, but there is one thing the constable does above all.

“The constable is there to serve the people of the county to the best of his ability,” he said. “Constables do this because their job is to work for residents.”

Warnock said he hopes to be elected as constable, so he can pick up where he left off last time he held the position.