Wiping back tears, Hardy Sims came up with perhaps the perfect word to begin his first speech after being sworn in as the new chief of the Hattiesburg Police Department: “Wow.”
Sims was sworn in, along with Tony Fontaine as assistant chief of the department, by Mayor Toby Barker during a February 28 ceremony at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center on Front Street in downtown Hattiesburg. Sims takes over for retiring chief Peggy Sealy, whose last day in office was January 31, while Fontaine fills the assistant chief position vacated by Sims when he was named chief.
“I’m excited about today, so thank you for gathering here today to witness an important milestone in my career,” Sims told the crowd. “It is with great honor and humility that I stand before you and accept the position of chief of police.
“This opportunity comes with enormous responsibilities, but I am ready and committed to serving our community with unwavering dedication. I am well aware of the challenges ahead, but I wholeheartedly believe that together, we can make a difference and create a safer, more harmonious environment for all of us.”
Sims was named chief during a January 11 news conference at Hattiesburg City Hall, shortly after Sealy announced her retirement. His appointment was approved at the next meeting of Hattiesburg City Council.
Sims said in his role as chief, he will continue to work to establish relationships with the community and enforce community policing.
“I firmly believe that building strong partnerships, fostering trust and promoting transparency are pivotal elements of being a chief and effective policing,” Sims said. “In today’s ever-evolving society, the role of a police chief goes far beyond maintaining law and order.
“It is about being a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration and a catalyst for positive change.”
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.
“Possibly one of the most qualified individuals to ever take on this role now has the opportunity to lead the Hattiesburg Police Department into the future,” Barker said. “(Chief), I hope that for you – when days get tough and we’ve had a string of bad situations (and) when personnel may be unhappy, when equipment doesn’t arrive on time or when the mayor is being overbearing – that you will remember this day as well.
“Among us today, and even beyond these walls, sits an entire community who are putting their trust in you. And we know you’ll meet that moment.”
Fontaine was announced as the interim assistant police chief on February 22.
Fontaine has served the City of Hattiesburg for 23 years and has spent the last three as major of operations, a position he was promoted to in 2021 under Sealy’s administration. He has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, from special operations to police training and command staff.
“(It’s) an honor to be here, to be selected to be trusted and help lead this department to new and great heights in the future,” Fontaine said. “I’ve spent 23 years at the Hattiesburg Police Department; I’ve watched it grow, evolve and adapt.
“There have been hard times – there have been terrible times – but there have also been some really good times. Throughout, one thing remains the same, and that is the steadfast commitment of the men and women of the department.”
Fontaine began his law enforcement career with the Hattiesburg Police Department in February 2001, starting as a patrol officer in the patrol division. Two years later, in 2003, Fontaine was assigned to the Neighborhood Enhancement Team within the Special Operations Division, where he specialized in street gang activity and street-level narcotics.
He also was assigned to the Metro Task Force, focusing on vice crimes and narcotics.
Fontaine was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2006 and was transferred to the Hattiesburg Police and Fire Training Academy, where he served as the assistant director of training. At the training academy, Fontaine was responsible for the monthly in-service training of sworn police officers and the operational function of lateral training, as well as overseeing the 17-week academy for basic recruits.
Fontaine earned the rank of lieutenant in 2009 and was assigned as the director of training at the academy. In 2013, he was promoted to captain of the Special Operations Division, where he supervised the traffic division, NET, strike and all task force agents.
Fontaine has earned more than a dozen instructor certifications, from weaponry to defensive driving, strategic self-defense and active shooter training. In 2014, he attended Command College at the University of Mississippi, to further advance his law enforcement training and education.
“One thing I vow to you and our community is to lead with respect,” Fontaine said. “I will always support you and your families while ensuring our community has a police department that will serve them with excellence.
“Our teamwork, dedication and combined law enforcement experience will continue to shine and be a true representation on just how great the City of Hattiesburg is.”
