Six officers with the Whiteville Police Department took their oath of office at the Whiteville Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting on Monday, Nov. 2. Each pledged to uphold the law and protect citizens’ rights in the Hardeman County town.
Hatchie Press reported the swearing-in on Friday, Nov. 6.
Whiteville Police Department Officers Sworn In
The officers who took the oath were:
Jacob Gray
Allen Garland
Jhnous Long
Sherrie Williams-Smith
Courtney Howell
Randy Warren
The swearing-in took place during the board’s regular business meeting, so the town’s elected leaders watched as the officers made their commitment.
What the Oath Requires
In the oath, each officer promises to support the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution and to faithfully carry out the duties of the job. The officers also promised to enforce federal and state law while serving Whiteville with “integrity, professionalism, fairness, courage, and respect,” according to the report.
The oath also covers several other duties:
Impartiality: officers promise to do their jobs without prejudice, favoritism or discrimination.
Conduct: each officer agrees to act in a way that reflects well on the Whiteville Police Department and on law enforcement as a profession.
Accountability: the pledge says an officer’s authority comes with a duty to protect and serve, and that officers answer to the Constitution, the law and the citizens they serve.
Why the Swearing-In Matters
For small-town departments, a public swearing-in is more than a formality. Taking the oath in front of the mayor and aldermen, during a meeting open to residents, puts each officer’s promises on the public record. Residents can then hold their officers to those promises.
The Hatchie Press report did not say whether the six officers are new hires or officers already on the force taking the oath for a new term. It also did not give their ranks or assignments. Tippah News will share more details if the town or the department releases them.
Law Enforcement Across Hardeman County
Whiteville sits in western Hardeman County, about 25 miles northwest of Middleton. The town is home to the Whiteville Correctional Facility. Its police department joins the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office and the other town departments, including Bolivar and Middleton, in serving the county.
The ceremony is the latest in a series of recent law enforcement milestones in Hardeman County. This week, Hatchie Press also reported that the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Office recognized one of its investigators for his work on a complex case.
Residents with questions for the Whiteville Police Department can contact Whiteville Town Hall.
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
