Why the immediate need to change the nomination process for the Nashua Police Commission?

With no prior discussion, the mayor and several aldermen introduced a piece of legislation to make a significant change to the manner in which police commissioners are appointed. This legislation was defeated by the board of aldermen and tabled pending further discussion in an effort to inform and educate those unfamiliar with the way the police commission is appointed. The citizens of Nashua expect and deserve to have the best police protection and the knowledge to make an informed decision.

It shouldn’t matter which political party holds the corner office on how your safety stacks up on their agenda. Nashua has been recognized many times as one of the safest cities in the country, as recently as last month.

The Nashua Police Department is a nationally accredited police agency and consistently achieves the top 5% of the CALEA Standards (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.). Every three years the Nashua Police Department is ranked against the toughest 600 plus particular standards and they consistently score high. This speaks to the professionalism, the commitment and talent of our law enforcement officers.

The Nashua Police Commission is a three-member board that is currently appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Executive Council. The current three members of the police commission were appointed by Governor Maggie Hassan (D) and re-appointed by Governor Chris Sununu (R). The most recent commission appointment was Nicholas Dahl who was re-appointed just a matter of weeks ago.

With the election just a number of days away and the question on the ballot, you are urged to vote “NO” and tell this administration that more information is required by those affected at this attempt to take control of a very well managed department.

At a meeting of the police work study group it was brought up by a former chief of police that the administration raves about the city’s AAA bond rating but when the city receives accolades about Nashua being awarded the designation of being the third safest city in the country there is little to no comment at all.

If this is a good idea now why isn’t it a good idea when we have a full conversation with the citizens and put this referendum on the ballot at the next municipal election. If it’s such a good idea it should stand the test of time. Many citizens have participated in the 20 to 30 Neighborhood Crime Watch meetings and know firsthand that the people of Nashua are well served by the Nashua Police Department.

The citizens of Nashua deserve real answers and not more rhetoric about local control. We have local control now. The board of aldermen control the police department budget. The current commissioners are all long-time Nashua residents. Change for the sake of change is not in the best interest of the citizens of Nashua. Our police department does not get nationwide recognition for no reason. This is an attempt to gain control of the department, period.

You should ask yourself if there is a real need to change the way the police commission is appointed after Nashua having being recognized as the third safest city in the country.

Please vote “NO” on Question 2 on the ballot on November 2nd and keep politics out of our highly rated police department.

Lori Wilshire is president of the Nashua Board of Aldermen, Michael O’Brien Sr. is vice president of the Nashua Board of Aldermen. June Caron is a member of the Nashua Board of Aldermen, representing Ward 7. Elizabeth Lu is a member of the Nashua Board of Aldermen, representing Ward 6.