Familiar Face: Mike Hardy will be next Abbeville Police Chief

Mike Hardy will be the next chief of the Abbeville Police Department.
Hardy won a runoff election against current Chief William Spearman on Saturday. Hardy received 829 votes (51%). Spearman took 785 votes (49%). This marked a turnaround from four years ago when Hardy ran against Spearman.
“I have been receiving phone calls from people everywhere,” Hardy said of congratulatory phone calls. “I received calls from people in law enforcement that were chiefs 20 years ago.
“They all told me my dad would be proud.”
Hardy’s father, Minos, is a former Abbeville chief.
“I know that he is proud while he is looking down on us,” Hardy said. “It was a nice finish.”
While he will begin a four-year term on June 30, Hardy is certainly no stranger to the office. He served as chief from 1990 to ‘02. In addition, he continued to serve in various law enforcement roles, including as an officer with the Maurice Police Department. He volunteered as a reserve officer in Abbeville during the time his brother, Tony Hardy, served as Abbeville chief (2010-‘18).
“I am sure some things have changed since my previous time as chief,” Hardy said, “but I have stayed involved, so I will be ready to go.”
Hardy has plans for the department. He will focus on more patrol and increased training and locating and hiring experienced officers. However, outside of the department, Hardy wants everyone to come together in the effort to make the city a safer place.
“It takes everyone to make a safe city,” Hardy said. “That’s what I want to do, to try to bring everyone together. I will do my part. Law enforcement officers will be enforcing the law. People in the community can do their part. Call me if they see something going on with guns or drugs.”
Hardy means that literally.
“My number is 337-316-2855,” Hardy said. “Call me if you think you have a drug dealer in your neighborhood.”
Hardy said part of bringing the community together is building trust.
“I am out in the community,” Hardy said. “I am going to continue to be out in the community. I want to build the trust of everyone.
“I want to help make Abbeville a better place.”