Biloxi police say Harrison County constable was passed out before his arrest on DUI refusal charge [The Sun Herald]

Oct. 28--BILOXI -- Harrison County District 1 Constable Windy Swetman Sr., a former public safety director for Biloxi, was arrested over the weekend on a charge of DUI refusal.

Biloxi Police Chief John Miller confirmed Swetman, 66, was arrested Saturday night on Caillavet Street and was released from the police station after posting bond on a $1,285 fine.

Police had received a report of a possible crash at Elk and Caillavet streets about 10:41 p.m. Officers found a white 2001 Jeep Cherokee on the curb of the northeast corner of the intersection. Officials said it appeared the Jeep had run off the road and came to rest on the curb while part of the vehicle was still in the road.

Swetman was passed out in the driver's seat when officers first arrived and he appeared to be intoxicated, Assistant Police Chief Rodney McGilvary said. No damages were noted to his vehicle or the street.

Officials declined to say if they obtained a court order to draw Swetman's blood to test for possible alcohol consumption.

A plea date was not available.

Swetman could not be reached by phone Monday, nor could an attorney who represented him after his arrest on other misdemeanors in 2012.

Swetman is serving his third consecutive four-year term as constable, and also was a constable from 1983 to 1989. As constable, an elected official, Swetman uses his personal vehicle to deliver legal papers for justice court and for city, chancery and circuit courts as needed.

Swetman was Biloxi's public safety director from 1989 to 1993. He served 20 years in the Air Force and also was a Harrison County deputy sheriff about eight years.

He founded Swetman Security Service in 1973.

Swetman pleaded no contest to misdemeanor traffic charges in March 2012 after he ran a stop sign in D'Iberville a month earlier and collided with a pickup truck. His 2012 Mercury Grand Marquis, which he also used for county work, was not insured.

Swetman was fined $362 on charges of running a stop sign and failing to have insurance. He struck a pickup truck occupied by a couple and their 3-year-old child. The family received emergency medical attention at the scene but no serious injuries were reported.

Swetman was picked up at the 2012 crash scene by his son, Harrison County Supervisor Windy Swetman III.

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