Gulfport Police deputy chief retires after 30-year career
The Gulfport Police Department announced that Deputy Chief Heather Dailey has retired after more than 30 years in law enforcement, the department said in a Facebook post.
Dailey began her career in February 1995 at the University of Southern Mississippi Police Department and later served as an agent with the Pearl River Narcotics Task Force, the department said. She joined the Gulfport Police Department on Sept. 28, 1998, initially serving as an undercover narcotics officer.
She moved from undercover work to patrol and then to the Criminal Investigations Division, where she was promoted to sergeant in CID in 2007, the department said. Dailey later transferred to Professional Standards, serving as acting officer in charge and then as lieutenant over the Professional Standards Bureau.
Dailey went on to lead CID District 2 and Administrative Services, and was promoted to deputy commander of the Support Bureau in 2019 before being appointed commander, the department said. In May 2022 she became the Gulfport Police Department’s first female deputy chief, a role in which the department said she helped shape strategy and supported officers across multiple divisions.
The department noted Dailey’s collateral duties included involvement with PAWS and that she is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, the Law Enforcement Training Academy Class 1995-3 and the Southern Police Institute. The department thanked her for her service and asked the public to join in congratulating her on her retirement.
