Though the sun set on his local law enforcement career, it has risen in another county for David Sutton, following his retirement from the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
“I don’t have any hobbies, and I don’t like having free time,” Sutton quipped. “It’s true what they say: do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Sutton started working for the PBPD in March 1995. He was recognized as Officer of the Year in 2004, and was promoted to corporal that same year. He continued to climb the ladder of rank and promotion for the next 11 years and achieved the rank of captain in 2015, when he was reassigned to serve as the patrol commander for the PBPD patrol division. He officially celebrated his last day with PBPD on July 29.
“I will miss the camaraderie more than anything,” Sutton noted. “I thoroughly enjoyed being a police officer for Poplar Bluff.”
Sutton will now be working as an officer for the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department.
“It will be different from what I’m used to,” Sutton remarked. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
As Sutton stepped down, Capt. Chuck Harris stepped up to replace him as the patrol commander.
Harris started working as a reserve officer in 2003 and became a part-time patrolman in January 2004. He became a full-time officer in March 2005.
“I tell the guys that I’ve been the new guy multiple times,” Harris laughed. “There have been lots of new experiences along the way, and this will be another one. It’s definitely different from what I’m used to. There is more desk and counter work involved.”
Harris said he feels honored to be selected to hold the position, as it calls for him to oversee the operations of the patrol division along with handling administrative duties.
“I have the utmost confidence in Capt. Harris’ abilities as a leader,” Police Chief Mike McClain said. “Harris has a level of self-confidence that gives him the ability to confront challenges, make tough decisions, and inspire others.”
While both Sutton and Harris settle into their new roles, PBPD will receive a new officer: Seth Sutton, son of the former patrol commander. After he graduates from the academy in December he is coming to join the force his father served.
“That’s one of the reasons I decided to step down,” the elder Sutton explained. “Nepotism rules prohibit Seth from being hired by this department if I’m here as a supervising officer.”
Sutton went on to explain that Seth had not originally planned on working for PBPD, but made the decision while he was in the academy.
“I think it’s a great thing,” Sutton noted. “I would say that Poplar Bluff still gets the best picks of the new officers, but it’s becoming more difficult.
“That’s one thing I have noticed. We used to turn away multiple candidates because there were so many to choose from. But now we get maybe 10 candidates for hire where we used to get 40 or more applying. I’ve definitely noticed that change over the years, and I hope that it improves soon. Locally, I have seen the community support the department but we continue to need young officers to take over for the future.”