With deep roots in Tate County, Derrick Richardson has his sights set on serving his community as Constable.
Richardson, a native of Tate, knew he wanted to be in law enforcement when he was in kindergarten.
Following high school, Richardson attended police academy at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy (MLEOTA) in Pearl, Miss.
After attending the academy, Richardson began his law enforcement career with the Tate County Sheriff’s Office.
While working for TCSO, Richardson spent three years and four months as a jailer with the Tate County Jail. He also served for two years and seven months as a narcotics investigator for TCSO. Additionally, Richardson served as a deputy for the department for four years and nine months. He has a total of 10 and a half years in law enforcement.
Richardson was appointed as interim Tate County Constable in Post 2 by the Tate County Board of Supervisors after the early retirement of Mike Jones at the end of last year. Richardson was sworn in during a ceremony held Wednesday, Jan. 19.
Richardson said he wants to continue to serve as Tate County’s Constable because he believes it is a better way to serve the citizens of the county.
Richardson said he has plans of doing more security checks on churches, local businesses and citizens of the county in his role as constable. He believes he could better serve the citizens by showing that he’ll always be there bringing a positive effect to the community.
Richardson and his wife, Andryea, a native of Senatobia, plan to be very active in the community. Currently, the Richardson’s child, Nevaeh Graham, 5, attends school at Coldwater Elementary School.
Richardson said his entire family is supportive of his choosing to serve the people of Tate County in an elected position. Richardson said his family is grateful and thankful for being able to serve the community.
In the State of Mississippi, the constable is responsible for preserving peace and executing criminal laws of the state for the justice court. The constable is required to attend the justice court of his/her district and execute all judgments in any criminal case before the court. Constables are elected at-large for a 4-year term.
The special election for constable will be held on November 8.
