Gautier announces new police chief will start this month

Gautier has a new police chief.

David Bever, 40, will be the new chief, City Manager Paula Yancey said Thursday.

“I have the utmost confidence in David’s ability to perform as the new chief,” she said in a press release. “He has been devoted to Gautier for 17 years, has held almost every position within the department, is well respected by his peers and will provide solid leadership to our officers.”

Bever graduated from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2010 and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Pennsylvania State University.

An officer since 2005, Bever was promoted to sergeant in 2016, then lieutenant in 2017 and eventually captain in 2020.

“Since I have started my career in law enforcement, my goal has always been to be a chief of police someday,” Bever said in the press release. “I like challenges and will strive to make this department the best on the Coast.”

In the press release Bever detailed his vision for the department.

“I will implement modern police techniques, such as crime mapping and deploy resources where needed,” he said. “I will continue ensuring officers have the proper equipment to do their job, maintaining pay and not creating undue stress on officers.”

Current chief, Daniel Selover, who assumed his role in March 2020, announced last month that he would retire. March 25 will be his last day as chief.