Hattiesburg has appointed their first female police chief by a vote of 3-2.
Peggy Sealy was appointed Tuesday night after having served as interim chief since December.
Mayor Toby Barker spoke with WDAM’s Melissa Rademacher about the appointment.
“She has really improved morale, she’s engaged the community and I think she’s an example for every young girl who looks up and sees they can shatter any glass ceiling, do any job that’s available,” Barker said.
According to Barker, Sealy started off as a meter maid and then rose up the ranks. The mayor told the Hattiesburg TV station that Sealy’s particular strength had been building relationships in the commuity she has served.
She was appointed Interim Chief in December after a short retirement.
There were two votes against Sealy.
Councilwoman Deborah Delgado and Councilman Nicholas Brown talked to WDAM about their grievances, though both seemed to have a problem with the appointment because they felt they hadn’t been properly consulted.
Sealy was a captain with HPD at the time of the murder of Officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate in May 2015. Therese Apel was with The Clarion-Ledger at that time and sat down with Sealy on the one-year anniversary. See her memories here.
