Hampton Police Chief David Hobbs retiring after 23 years for 'unique opportunity'

HAMPTON — After 23 years wearing the green uniform of the Hampton Police Department, two as its chief, David Hobbs is retiring and moving on to a new phase in his law enforcement career.

“I’ll be police chief and director of safety at Northern Essex Community College (in Haverhill, Massachusetts),” Hobbs said. “I look at it as a unique opportunity.”

Hobbs, 45, has spent more than two decades serving the people of Hampton, where he has spent his entire law enforcement career.

“As a kid, I felt that police work was where I was leaning; through high school and college,” Hobbs said. “I was looking to do something challenging, something that was different every day. A career where you can have a positive impact.”

The son of the late Patricia and David Hobbs of Kingston, Massachusetts, Hobbs graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School in his hometown, then earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the Bay State’s Framingham State College in 1999.

It was during a senior year internship at the New England Institute of Law Enforcement Management at Babson College when Hobbs met a police officer taking courses at the institute, a man who would help define Hobbs’ career: Jamie Sullivan.

“At the time I was a (Hampton police) captain,” said Sullivan, who is now Hampton's town manager and a retired police chief for the town. “One of the instructors came up to me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got this great young man who wants to take the police exam for Hampton.' It was just one of those serendipitous meetings.”

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Hobbs took the exam, passed and started as a part-time Hampton officer in 1999, joining full-time in 2000. From there, Hobbs went on to hold just about every position in the department, according to Sullivan.

Hobbs served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, training officer, use of force instructor, sergeant, member of the Seacoast Emergency Response Team, rising to deputy chief in 2014 and chief two years ago. Hobbs also earned his master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University in justice and public administration while working full-time.

“Dave is such a high-quality person,” Sullivan said. “He put his personality, his skills into his job. It was such a pleasure for me to watch his career as he progressed up to chief. Dave was the guy you counted on to get things done right. He was the guy who got it done and never looked for the accolades.”

Sullivan’s comments are echoed by Hobbs’ second in command, Deputy Chief Alex Reno.

“Dave has never wanted anything for himself,” Reno said. “He had no problem driving the clunker as chief. He wanted to take care of other people. He’s just an overall good person and we’re going to miss him. He’s a cop’s cop and a selfless leader.”

According to Reno, Hobbs’ absence will be felt profoundly.

“We wish nothing but the absolute best for him and his family as he retires from here,” Reno said. “He has such a wonderful family. I’m glad that he’ll have the opportunity to spend more time with his wife and kids.”

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A new career in retirement

At only 45, Hobbs is young to retire, but he feels it is precisely because he’s young that he has a chance to build a successful second career in his new role. Plus, the new position should be less time-intensive, allowing Hobbs to spend more time with his young family.

“My family has made a lot of sacrifices over the years,” he said. “This hasn’t been an easy decision because I’ve been here so long and been part of a wonderful team here, but I’m trying to do what’s best for my family.”

Hobbs said he will continue to live in Hampton with his wife, Erin, and three children, Olivia, 13, Stevie, 11 and Cooper, 6.

Although Hobbs managed to coach his kids’ hockey team, there have been few if any leisurely summer weekends with the kids or summer holidays spent away on vacation. But that’s already starting to change.

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“We did book a vacation on for the Fourth of July next year,” he said, laughing.

As for what he’ll miss the most about the job, Hobbs said it’s the people, the community, his command staff and each and every officer.

“Overall, being a part of this team is my fondest memory,” Hobbs said. “I want to thank the town for letting me take part in this community and giving me the opportunities, I’ve had here.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Police Chief David Hobbs departing for a MA community college