NATCHEZ — Sheriff Travis Patten appointed two chief deputies and a new head of Metro Narcotics in his first day in office.

The two chief deputies will be Charlie Sims and Wayne Rabb.

Sims — who before his appointment served in the previous sheriff’s administration at the rank of major as patrol and dispatch supervisor — has previously served in that capacity.

Rabb most recently served at the rank of captain as a criminal deputy and trainer under the previous sheriff’s administration.

Patten said Sims’ 30 years of service and experience made him an obvious choice, while Rabb “is one of the most honest people I know.”

“He is fair to every single person he meets, and an honorable man,” Patten said. “The deputies already respect him, and I couldn’t think of a better person to put in that position.”

The new head of Natchez-Adams Metro Narcotics will be Shane Daugherty, who had at one time worked for former Sheriff Chuck Mayfield but since gone on to work in other jurisdictions.

Patten said Daugherty was chosen based on his resume, saying he is “probably one of the most highly qualified drug agents in the southeastern part of the United States” and has national recognition.

But Daugherty was also chosen for his ability to relate to the people.

“He doesn’t have that brash attitude where he is going to go out and mistreat the public,” Patten said. “We have to enforce the law, but we don’t have to go out and treat people like animals in the process, and I feel like (the narcotics task force) will be extremely effective in what they do.”

Patten also appointed a new jail administrator, Tony Nichols, who has previously worked at Adams County Correctional Center and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility in supervisory capacities, Patten said.

As of the first day, five employees had resigned or retired on their own, and three were fired. At the same time, four positions within the department were eliminated or reassigned, Patten said.

Sgt. Cal Green will serve as public relations officer and office manager — which were formerly two separate positions — and will continue to serve as a relief sergeant.

Jacqueline Posey has been hired as an accreditation team manager, and will also serve as a grant writer, sheriff’s secretary and administrative assistant, while Chakarttria Johnson will work as a part-time grant writer and forensic interviewer.

Johnson is a certified counselor and has a master’s degree in sociology, and will also be tasked with launching a TRIAD program, which will monitor and help elderly residents of the county, Patten said.

Further announcements will be made — including of promotions from within and about general organizational structure — Jan. 15 and 30, Patten said.

Those dates were chosen to allow people who might be appointed from the outside to give a proper two-weeks’ notice, he said.