HAMPTON — After 23 years in the green uniform of the Hampton Police Department, including two as chief, David Hobbs is retiring and entering a new phase in his career in law enforcement.
“I will be chief of police and director of security at Northern Essex Community College (in Haverhill, Massachusetts),” Hobbs said. “I see this as a unique opportunity.”
Hobbs, 45, has spent more than two decades serving the people of Hampton, where he spent his entire career in law enforcement.
“As a child, I felt police work was where I leaned; in high school and college,” Hobbs said. “I was looking to do something challenging, something 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 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 that Hobbs met a policeman who was taking classes at the institute, a man who would go on to help define Hobbs’ career: Jamie Sullivan.
“I was a captain (of the Hampton police) at the time,” said Sullivan, who is now Hampton’s city manager and the city’s retired chief of police. “One of the instructors came up to me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got this great young guy who wants to take the police exam for Hampton.’ It was just one of those chance encounters.
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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 held just about every position in the department, according to Sullivan.
Hobbs has served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, training officer, use of force instructor, sergeant, member of the Seacoast Emergency Response Team, becoming deputy chief in 2014 and chief there. two years. 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 great quality person,” Sullivan said. “He put his personality, his skills into his work. It was such a pleasure for me to follow his career as he progressed to the position of chef. Dave was the guy you counted on to get it right. It was he who did it and who never sought distinctions.
Sullivan’s comments are echoed by Hobbs’ second-in-command, Deputy Chief Alex Reno.
“Dave never wanted anything for himself,” Reno said. “He had no problem driving the clunker as a leader. He wanted to take care of others. He’s just a good person overall and he will be missed. He is a cop of a cop and a selfless leader.
According to Reno, Hobbs’ absence will be deeply felt.
“We wish nothing but the best for him and his family as he retires from here,” Reno said. “He has such a wonderful family. I’m glad he has the opportunity to spend more time with his wife and children.
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A new career in retirement
At just 45, Hobbs is young to retire, but he believes it’s precisely because he’s young that he has a chance to build a successful second career in his new role. Additionally, the new position should be less time-consuming, allowing Hobbs to spend more time with his young family.
“My family has made a lot of sacrifices over the years,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy decision because I’ve been here so long and I’m part of a great 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 was successful in coaching his children’s hockey team, there were few if any quiet summer weekends with the kids or summer vacations spent on vacation. But that is already starting to change.
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“We have a holiday booked for the 4th of July next year,” he said with a laugh.
As for what he will miss most about the job, Hobbs said it is the people, the community, his staff and every officer.
“Overall, being part of this team is my fondest memory,” Hobbs said. “I want to thank the city for allowing me to participate in this community and for giving me the opportunities that I have had here.”
