by DAVID HAMILTON

NATCHEZ — The final five applicants for Natchez Police Chief made their pitches Tuesday to the mayor and board of aldermen at City Hall.

Selected by the Civil Service Commission from a field of 22 applicants, the five candidates each went before Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell and the board of aldermen for interviews that lasted approximately 45 minutes per candidate.

Listed alphabetically by last name, the five candidates are:

• Former Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong; Serving 25 years as a state trooper prior to his stint as chief, Armstrong spent 8 years heading the Vicksburg Police Department until he was replaced July 5.
• Retired Baton Rouge police officer Rudolph A. Babin; After spending 31 years in Louisiana’s capital, Babin also applied for the Natchez Police Chief position in 2012. He was one of two finalists, though the city appointed Daniel White instead.
• Rankin County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Daughtry; Daughtry also served as a spokesman for the Jackson Police Department.
• Natchez Police Captain Scott Frye; Currently a Support Commander Captain, Frye has been with the NPD for 23 years, also serving in the military for more than three years.
• Interim Police Chief Sean T. King; King was appointed interim chief in May after the board of aldermen voted to accept the retirement of White. King has been with the department since 2004 and also served in the U.S. Army from 1990 to 1997.

The final decision rests with the board of aldermen. Grennell said he hopes to have a new chief put in place within the next five to seven days.