Message to Citizens

As part of the Paducah Police Department's annual report, Chief James Berry provides a letter to the citizens.  To read the letter and view the annual report, click Annual Report.

Biography

James Berry was sworn in as Police Chief by McCracken Circuit Judge Jeff Hines on August 4, 2009.  Chief Berry has more than 35 years experience in policing and public safety with prior expererience as a police chief and as the chief of security of a school system. 

A long stretch of Berry's law enforcement career was spent serving the Hartford, Connecticut Police Department.  Berry served nearly 25 years in Hartford rising from the rank of patrol officer to the number two position of assistant chief responsible for the day-to-day supervision of approximately 500 police officers and 200 civilians.   Berry served the Hartford Police Department from 1975 until 2000 after which he was recuited to take over security for the City of Hartford school system.  During the next two years, Berry served as Chief of Security with the responsibility of protecting 40 schools and more than 25,000 students.  In December 2001, Berry became Chief of Police of Trumbull, Connecticut.  In March 2004, Berry became Chief of Police of Manchester, Connecticut.  In July 2009, Berry retired from the Manchester Police Department but decided to continue his police career in Paducah.

Chief Berry's accomplishments include working to reduce crime by 40% in Manchester, Connecticut.  Manchester was then listed in CNN Money Magazine as one of the safest cities in America.  Berry has been heavily involved in Community Policing since its inception, which included a think tank on policing in 1991 at John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.  Berry also has been involved in Homeland Security in which he testified before the U.S. Congressional Subcommittee on Homeland Security in 2001 on issues involving security and interoperability after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

Chief Berry's education includes an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Middlesex Community Technical College, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Business from Eastern Connecticut State University, and Graduate Certification in Homeland Security Management from St. Joseph College Graduate Program.  Chief Berry is a member of IACP, PERF, NOBLE, National Sheriffs Association, FBI LEEDS, International Counterterrorism Officers Association, and a 2007-2008 member of Who's Who in Justice Administration in America.

Contact:

Police Chief James Berry

(270) 444-8590

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