Kevin Avard

There is an effort underway going door-to-door collecting signatures for a petition to restructure the Nashua Police Commission. This is a very bad idea and the people of Nashua should reject it.

Nashua has a unique structure that has provided independent oversight and accountability for our police department for the past 130 years. Since 1891, our charter has required a three-member Police Commission appointed by the Governor. The Nashua Police Commission has authority to hire police officers, including the chief, to remove officers “for just cause and after due hearing”, to make rules for the department, and to “have full and complete care and control of all lands and buildings use by the police department.”

This system has served the Gate City well, providing oversight of the police department independent of city politicians. Nashua is a great place to live and has earned national recognition. We’ve been listed as one of “America’s 50 Best Cities to Live”, one of “The Top 10 Safest Cities”, and even Money Magazine’s “Best Place to Live in the U.S.” A large part of our city’s success in these national rankings is our low crime rate and the excellent job done by our police department.

I’m proud of our police officers and the risks they take to keep us safe. We entrust them with great responsibility, and with that trust comes accountability. Nashua has long relied on our Police Commission to provide that accountability independent of political pressure.

Those seeking to change the system argue that they want local control of the police department. What this would mean is abolishing 130 years of independent Nashua police oversight and replacing it with political control of the police commissioner, police chief, and police department.

Nashua Police Chief Mike Carignan opposes changing the police commission. “Most people don’t understand this issue, the reasons behind it or the long-term implications…It is recklessly being rushed, leaving no checks and balances, and that is dangerous and irresponsible.”

Jim Tollner, chairman of the Nashua Police Commission, also opposes the idea. “Change simply for the sake of change will always have unintended consequences.”

The Board of Alderman rejected a proposal to put the police commission article on the ballot, but supporters are continuing to gather signature in hopes of pushing it through in November.

Having a police commission independent of city politics has served Nashua quite well since 1891. Our police commissioners provide oversight of the police department, but don’t have to look over their shoulders to make sure city politicians are always happy. That’s a good thing.

If someone knocks on your door asking for a signature, I suggest that you politely decline and support our Nashua Police Department and Police Commission.

Sen. Kevin Avard, R-Nashua, represents District 12 in the New Hampshire Senate.