Jackson Free Press

Hinds County Sheriff, and former Jackson Police Chief Malcolm McMillin endorsed Democratic mayoral candidate Marshand Crisler this morning at the State Capitol.

Crisler is a Hinds County deputy who is on leave from his county job to pursue his candidacy for mayor of Jackson, and McMillin cited his familiarity with Crisler and his deputy's law enforcement background as reason for the endorsement.

"He has the experience in dealing with crime. He has the experience of dealing with narcotics on the street. He's been a deputy sheriff, he knows what it's like to be in the trenches, and he knows the problems that law enforcement faces," McMillin said.

Earlier this year Crisler told the Jackson Free Press that he would consider keeping McMillin on as police chief if he won the mayor's office in June. He would not confirm today if he was still planning to bring him back on as chief, however. McMillin resigned from his post as Jackson's chief of police earlier this week because he intended to support a candidate other than incumbent Jackson Mayor Frank Melton.

McMillin said his endorsement was not a bid to return to his old city job, however.

"I'm not doing this because I need a job. (Crisler) hasn't asked and I haven't said I'll serve," McMillin said. "This is not a job fair. This is a race for the city of Jackson."