MINT HILL, NC – Employees with the town call him “Bull,” but officially he is Damir Mahmutovic, MHPD veteran of 16 years and the Lieutenant of patrol shift “A.”  Lieutenant Mahmutovic earned the nickname “Bull” due to his resemblance to Night Court actor Richard Moll, whose character, a bailiff named Bull, was known for his height, personality, and stubbornness. 

Bull’s passion to serve others is beyond expectation, and his desire to help started many years ago with retired CMPD Captain William Boger.  Shortly after emigrating to the States from where he identifies as old Yugoslavia, Lt. Mahmutovic was attending his first years of college where he was required to ride along with an officer for an assignment.  During that ride along, Lt. Mahmutovic was inspired and applied for employment with Mint Hill. Lt. Mahmutovic chose Mint Hill for its small-town charm and opportunities to meet others.   

Assignments of field training officer, canine handler, special response team member and patrol sergeant have all been stepping stones for Lt. Mahmutovic as he has progressed into the supervisory role he occupies today, striving to look after his troops and the community.  Lt. Mahmutovic describes the relationships created through his profession as rewarding even if not every interaction has always been joyful.  “Unfortunately the profession is not always positive,” says Lt. Mahmutovic, yet he feels he has always been warmly welcomed by the public. “I feel people have always been honest and I try to respect everyone. It’s not on me to judge others, but many relationships were built, and that is why those relationships exist.”   

Lt. Mahmutovic smiles ear to ear when speaking about his wife of 7 years and says he works to be the best husband he can while hoping to leave an impact on others just as officer Boger did for him.  His challenge is described as the replacement of human interaction with social media ultimately limiting the opportunity to be himself, “Bull.”