Suffolk Sheriff E.C. Harris confirmed he is officially retiring after 42 years in law enforcement.
Before serving as Sheriff in 2017, Harris joined the Suffolk Police Department as a Police Officer in 1987, where he also served as a Central Records Desk Officer and Detective. In 2005, Harris joined the Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, where he served as Chief Investigator, Part-time Investigator, and Deputy Sheriff. In 2014, Harris joined the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office as Chief Deputy before becoming elected as Sheriff. Harris is a 1980 Northampton High School graduate and served as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army from 1982-1985.
Harris says the decision to retire has been planned for “quite a long time.”
“I’ve got 42 years in law enforcement – the vast, vast majority here with the City of Suffolk. It has been a rewarding career for me. I’ve got to know so many people and make so many relationships that will last forever, but it’s time for me to step aside and focus on my family and enjoy retirement and quiet time because the law enforcement profession takes so much energy and so much time and work that you unfortunately cannot have the time that you need for your family and your friends and for things that you want to do yourself,” Harris said. “I’ve tried to make sure that I poured myself into Suffolk and the citizens of Suffolk, and now it’s time for me to step back and take that energy and pour it into my family, which they definitely deserve it and I am going to do that.”