Mayor Toby Barker has made his choice for the next leader of the Hattiesburg Police Department, recently announcing his appointment of Hardy Sims to take over the department from current chief Peggy Sealy, who is set to retire on January 31.
That announcement was made during a January 11 news conference at Hattiesburg City Hall, when Barker said Sims – who currently serves as assistant chief – will lead the department that boasts more than 150 police officers and civilian employees.
“When (Sealy) announced her retirement after 30-plus years in law … she leaves an accredited department that is now among the highest-paid, with a state-of-the-art facility (in the Hattiesburg Public Safety Complex), and a great reputation for forward-thinking, community police work,” Barker said. “We thank her for her service, and it is now time to choose who will lead the Hattiesburg Police Department into the future.
“When I approached this decision, there were a number of things I wanted in a police chief: I wanted someone who knew law enforcement, where it has been, where it is, and where we’re going in the future. I wanted someone who knew this department and wouldn’t have to spend a year or more getting to know officers and staff; I wanted someone who knew and had the trust of the community. Luckily, that search did not have to stretch very far, because we’ve had the benefit of (Sims’) leadership for over 30 years.”
A Hattiesburg native, Sims grew up in the Palmers Crossing community and graduated from Forrest County Agricultural High School in Brooklyn. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated Summa cum Laude.
Sims began his career in law enforcement with the Hattiesburg Police Department after graduating from the city’s police academy in 1992. He began in the patrol division, where he spent two years before serving on the city’s original Neighborhood Enhancement Team in Special Operations.
Throughout his career at HPD, Sims has worked in a variety of divisions, criminal investigations, community relations and serving as the department’s first public information officer. He was promoted to captain over patrol in 2003 and ascended to major of operations in 2004, where he served through 2020.
He was appointed to the assistant chief position in 2021, when Sealy took over after the retirement of former chief Anthony Parker.
“(I want to thank the mayor) for entrusting me with this awesome responsibility,” Sims said. “I am committed to providing leadership, having integrity, professionalism and accountability for this department.
“I will, in the near future, be building a cabinet of individuals around me to assist me and work alongside me to get the job done of making Hattiesburg the safest city in the southeast.”
Sims’ nomination will be placed on the agenda for Hattiesburg City Council members to vote on at its January 16 meeting. If approved, Sims’ role as chief will begin on February 1.
“Hardy Sims is one of the most knowledgeable law enforcement minds I have known,” Barker said. “He has been a consistent presence for the city and this department his entire career … and in fact, he was classmates at the (police) academy with Chief Sealy.
“He is the one, who, when a tense situation arises, he remains calm, reasonable, waits for accurate information and then he uses his experience, wisdom and good judgement to make the best decision possible. He communicates well, he is detail-oriented and he can put together an informed plan and see it through.”
