Chief Berry was recruited for his new position while he led the Manchester, CT Police Department as its chief. He had previously served as Chief of Police in Trumbull, after retiring from 25 years of service to the Hartford Police Department. During his career in Hartford, he rose to the Number 2 position in the department as assistant chief, responsible for the supervision of 500 police officers and 200 civilians.

He graduated from the School of Continuing Education with a Bachelor of General Studies degree with a major in sociology and a minor in business.

Chief Berry has been heavily involved in community policing, and has participated in advanced training in specialized policing areas including a program at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He has earned graduate certification in Homeland Security Management at St. Joseph College in Hartford. Crime in Manchester was reduced by 40% during his tenure as chief there.

He is a member of numerous police and civic organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs Association, the International Counter Terrorism Officers Association, the National Black Police Association and the NAACP, and he is listed in the 2007-08 edition of “Who’s Who in Justice Administration in America.”

He said he has found Paducah a pleasing combination of Manchester and his hometown in North Carolina, and appreciates the fact that his current location makes it possible for him to make an occasional daylong drive to visit family in North Carolina.

Chief Berry highly values the education he received during his time at Eastern. He specifically recalls Professor Dennis Canterbury’s class on globalization. “The level of instruction and his knowledge of his subject were inspiring and motivating.”