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Harvey becomes Milton police chief

Filling staff openings tops new top cop’s priority list
August 7, 2020

Lifelong Miltonian Derrick Harvey is officially in his dream job.

Harvey, 40, was pinned in as Milton’s new police chief Aug. 5 in a ceremony held at Milton Memorial Park.

“I have a lot of feelings, all good. I’ve wanted to be a police officer my whole life. I never thought about being the chief of police, but here I am,” Harvey said. “I’m the kind of guy who likes to be one of the workhorses and get things done, but to be given the opportunity to lead the department and be the point of contact for everyone is going to be a really good opportunity for me.”

Surrounded by family and colleagues, Harvey was decorated by his parents and two daughters, as nearly 50 people braved the August heat to see the ceremony. 

Harvey is making history for the second time in his career in Milton public service: he already became the first black Fire Chief in Sussex County when he was named to that post in 2014, and now, he stands as Milton’s first black chief of police. 

Harvey’s brother, Fred Jr., and father, Fred Sr., both said being a police officer is something Harvey has wanted to be since he was five years old. 

Fred Harvey Sr. said, “It’s a great moment. I’m extra happy for my son. It’s something he’s wanted to do all his life and it’s good to see he has accomplished that.”

Harvey said he was inspired by taking part in the D.A.R.E program as a kid, and began his career in earnest by serving as a seasonal officer in Dewey Beach in 1998. By 2004, he joined Milton Police Department - he has been a member of the fire department since 1998 - and has now held every rank the police department has to offer, from patrolman to lieutenant to captain to now chief.

Councilman Kevin Kelly said Harvey’s appointment is a reflection of where Milton is today.

“It gives us all optimism of where Milton is headed,” Kelly said. “There’s been so much change that has happened in Milton over the years. We are at a point where a transition is taking place. There are younger people with talent and ability and credibility. We are going to have a new feel for many things, and I think that’s great. I feel very good about Milton and I feel very good about what we’ve done here today.”

Milton’s police chief is appointed by Town Council; Harvey had been serving as acting chief after the resignation of Chief Robert Longo in March. Kelly said there is a difference between rank and the ability to be chief. Harvey had held the rank of captain - the second highest in the department - prior to becoming acting chief. But Kelly said it didn’t take long to figure out that Harvey was the right man to take the reins on a permanent basis.

Town Manager Kristy Rogers said, “He’s very attentive. He’s very responsive. You can tell that he is really dedicated to his community and his officers. He has served Milton well and he’s a dedicated person.”

Harvey said his immediate goal as chief is to get the department back up to maximum staffing levels; the department currently has six officers but has usually had eight.

“It’s difficult to operate with an understaffed department,” he said. “We have two openings now, which we are currently trying to fill. Hopefully within the next month or so we can get those filled.”

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