Pct. 3 Constable's office welcomes new deputy

TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE -- Henderson County Pct. JP Sue Starnes swears in Deputy Constable Ken Ratcliff, Friday, May 4, in her courtroom.

Ken Ratcliff saw his lifetime goal of being a police officer become a reality when he took the oath for the office of Henderson County Pct. 3 Deputy Constable, on Friday, May 4, in Pct. 3 JP Sue Starnes' court room, in the East end sub-courthouse, in Chandler.

Ratcliff brings to the position more than 30 years experience as a corporate security officer while working for Ashland, Inc. a petroleum corporation in Natchez, Mississippi.

While there, Ratcliff said he was responsible for executive protection, employee safety, the operations facilities, all company activity, as well as protecting the company's assets.

"I was responsible for anything related to the company that was illegal," he said.

Born and reared in Mississippi, during his employment with Ashland, Inc., Ratcliff was transferred to several of the company's locations before settling down in Texas in 1982.

Since his retirement in 1998, Ratcliff has worked a variety of security jobs.

He is a member of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), and, by examination, became a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) under the ASIS um- brella. He is also a Personal Protection Specialist.

His years as a security officer included protecting the top echelon of business and investigating corporate crime.

He has attended more than 50 seminars and schools related to security and police, and has a masters degree in business administration.

On April 14, 2007, Ratcliff graduated from the East Texas Police Academy, Athens campus. Passing his state exam granted Ratcliff his TCLOESE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education) license to enforce the law in Texas.

Ratcliff was approved for the deputy's position by the Henderson County Commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 1. Three days later, he was sworn in as deputy constable.

"You have to raise your right hand and take the oath before you can be an officer," he said. "I was on the other end of the spectrum while working security. I wanted to go to the other end to the streets where the rubber meets the road. Being a cop out on the streets is where it really happens. This is not the first time I've carried a gun, but it's the first time I've had such extensive training."

Henderson County Pct. 3 Constable David Grubbs said he is pleased to have Ratcliff on board.

"He's going to do a good job," Grubbs said. "He will perform office duties along with working the streets. His corporate education is an asset. He's mild mattered and even tempered. He'll do good here."

Grubbs said Ratcliff will be required to attend more schools along with his on-thejob training.

Ratcliff and his wife of 41 years, Trudy, live in the Chandler area, and have two adult children, and three grandchildren.