Hattiesburg's first female police chief will retire after 36 years with department

Peggy Sealy spent her entire career in law enforcement at Hattiesburg Police Department, devoting 36 years to a city and its people.

Now Hattiesburg's first female police chief is hanging up her hat and her badge after a storied career. Sealy announced her retirement last week, but will continue to lead the department until the end of January, a department spokesperson said in a news release.

“This role has been more than an honor,” Sealy said in the release. “When my career began in the early 1980s, I fell in love with Hattiesburg and its residents. Being able to spend my entire career here and to serve in its top position has made me very proud.

"Even when you are assessing and promoting through the ranks, you never know if being chief is on the table. I’m grateful for those who have supported me and believed in me throughout this chapter of my career.”

Sealy makes an impact, even before becoming chief

Sealy was appointed chief in 2020 after former chief Anthony Parker announced his retirement. She was assistant chief at the time, so was able to make a seamless transition.

“Chief Sealy’s positive influence has been felt throughout her career and specifically over the last seven years,” Mayor Toby Barker said. “She helped modernize the Hattiesburg Police Department through her leadership during the transition into a new facility, advocacy for higher officer pay and cultivating a more relational, community-driven approach to policing."

Sealy started her career with HPD as a meter attendant in the downtown area, rising through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant and captain, before her appointment to the top position.

She worked in most of the department's divisions for sworn personnel from patrol to administration, including special operations, criminal investigations, academy instruction, internal affairs and accreditation.

"Her rank of chief proved that any officer can come in, work hard, seize opportunities and truly make an impact," Barker said. "Her performance in a time of heightened scrutiny and accountability will be seen as a model for how law enforcement agencies can evolve to grow neighborhood support while making communities safer.”

Department improved with Sealy's leadership

Sealy has worked to improve recruitment and retention strategies in the department. She also was instrumental in improving the department's pay scale, including acknowledgments for officers' years of service and educational achievements. The new pay scale also resulted in the "largest pay increase for sworn personnel in a decade."

Starting pay for a patrol officer was increased to $35,000 a year in 2018. This year, starting pay for officers was increased to $50,000 per year.

Sealy has worked on improving community policing through summer youth programming, bike patrols and neighborhood meetings. The department also has seen a number of equipment and technology upgrades.

“Making sure our men and women have what they need to do the job has been critical for me in this role,” Sealy said. “From cameras that help solve crimes faster to making sure vehicle outfits are up to date, I am proud of how far our department has come to be more technologically advanced.”

Sealy's support for the officers is more than just a paycheck and a new computer, though. She enjoys getting to know her crew and seeing them succeed.

She was excited the first time she had the opportunity to swear in a round of new officers.

"That was such a memorable moment," Sealy said. "To see young officers wanting to come into this profession and make a difference and see the joy on their faces."

Move to new Public Safety Complex was a 'full-circle moment'

Another milestone in Sealy's career was helping lead the department’s move from Klondyke Street to its new — and former — home on James Street and Hall Avenue. The $30 million Public Safety Complex includes the historic Methodist Hospital building.

The new complex marked the first time in the department’s history that it had a building completely outfitted from top to bottom to fit its needs.

When the ribbon was cut on the facility in 2022, Sealy called it a full-circle moment.

“Not many can say they are retiring from a physical building where they were also born,” she said. “Now to have served as chief in the same space — as a rebuilt structure with a new purpose — has meant a lot. This space is historical, sacred and will always hold a place in my heart.”

In addition to being born in the old Methodist Hospital, she served the department in the 1990s and 2000s, when the hospital was converted to the police department and municipal court.

The new Public Safety Complex houses offices and amenities for officers across all divisions: police administration, telecommunications (dispatch), records, a courtroom, court records and a community room that residents and organizations can use.

The planning for the complex was spearheaded by Assistant Chief Hardy Sims, who graduated police academy with Sealy in 1992. Work on the complex took more than a decade of planning and construction.

Passion for service, law enforcement began early

Law enforcement was always in the cards for Sealy, she said. Her passion for serving others through law enforcement began long before her career at HPD began in 1988.

When she was in high school, she had an opportunity to serve as a Laurel Police Department Junior Explorer and got her first glimpse of what it would take to be a police officer.

“I loved every bit of it, and I was able to get an honest look at what a career could look like,” Sealy said.

Sealy transitioned from meter attendant to sworn officer after attending the Hattiesburg academy. Even though there were few female role models in law enforcement, Sealy was able to learn and grow under Capt. Gloria Rawson.

“Gloria was a supervisor, mentor and friend," Sealy said. "She helped me lay the groundwork for how I wanted my career to look. She taught me about the importance of having compassion for those we serve and for those we serve with, while also having a strong sense of integrity.”

Sealy is proud of her commitment to job, community

Being a good police officer has brought Sealy a sense of pride. Being a woman and the department's first female chief is secondary to that.

“It’s a part of my story, but I learned from Gloria to work hard, pay my dues and stay committed to the mission of what it means to be an officer," she said. "I have, and that is what I am most proud of."

She encourages other women to consider making a career in law enforcement if that is their dream.

"There is a strong acceptance rate of females serving as police officers across the country — now more than ever," Sealy said. "While I may be the first female police chief, I know I won’t be the last.”

'I have fulfilled the calling in my life'

Once she leaves the department, Sealy plans to spend time with her husband, retired HPD officer Don Sealy, and make time for family and travel. And she can look back at her career with pride.

Sealy has seen a lot in her 36 years with the department — a lot of ups and downs — but those years have been rewarding to her.

“This job isn’t easy," she said. "It has come with a lot of personal sacrifice and I’ve experienced some of our city’s hardest days while wearing this uniform. But I know that I have fulfilled the calling in my life.

"While this chapter is closing, I can confidently and proudly say that I’ve spent every minute of it giving 100% to a city, its residents and a department that I love dearly.”

For Sealy, it was a difficult decision to make. But she is confident she is leaving the department in a good place. At the same time, it's hard to leave a place she has been for so long.

"I'll miss the people the most," she said. "I made a point to know my employees. So they're not just employees. And I'll miss the citizens of Hattiesburg at all the community meetings and outdoor activities."

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Hattiesburg Police Chief Peggy Sealy announces retirement