Portsmouth, New Hampshire has consistently been voted one of the most desirable places in the country in which to live, work, and visit. This is largely due to the dedicated men and women who provide excellent public safety services on a daily basis. With 64 full-time officers, 25 auxiliary officers, 21 full-time and 4 part-time civilian support staffers, we provide a variety of services to one of America's most desirable and vibrant communities. In a recent survey of our community 99% feel very safe or safe walking in our downtown or in neighborhoods during the day, while 94% feel very safe or safe at night.

The Portsmouth Police Department embraces a community policing philosophy, and we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce crime and improve the quality-of-life for Portsmouth's citizens and visitors. Our department will be aggressive towards any crime, big or small. We service a resident population of 21,000, however, our population can swell to over 50,000 with workers and visitors to our many diverse businesses and cultural destinations. Portsmouth is a popular venue for hundreds of sports, arts, and fundraising events each year in and around our picturesque downtown, and visiting populations can swell to many tens of thousands for a given event.

We work closely with the 16 to 20 active neighborhood groups through the Citywide Neighborhood Committee and participation in the annual National Night Out event. Other public outreaches include Facebook and Twitter and the extremely popular Citizen Police Academy, which offers Seacoast citizens and business owners a behind-the-scenes look at police work.

The Portsmouth Police Department participates in local and statewide regional initiatives such as the Seacoast Emergency Response Team and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for New Hampshire which is managed out of our offices. We also work collaboratively with surrounding municipal and regional law enforcement on issues of traffic safety.

The police department is governed by a board of three elected Police Commissioners. The Commissioners provide direct citizen oversight of the police department in matters of policy, promotions, budget, grievances, and complaints. Established in 1654, we have a long, proud history of serving and protecting this beautiful award-winning city.

Job Description/ Process

The Portsmouth Police Department has an on-going recruitment and hiring process for sworn personnel.  Candidates for the position of Full Time Police Officer who are currently a sworn full time police officer with another law enforcement agency may apply to the Portsmouth Police Department by sending a resume and cover letter to: Portsmouth Police Department, Personnel & Training, 3 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Attn: Terry Barrett. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Barrett at (603) 610-7428 or at tbarrett@cityofportsmouth.com

The Portsmouth Police Department participates in a regional testing process through Great Bay Community College. Participation in this test will place the applicant on the eligibility list of approximately 45 southern New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and southern Maine law enforcement agencies.  The Portsmouth Police Department DOES NOT issue applications for employment.  It is NOT A REQUIREMENT of the Portsmouth Police Department for a full-time certified police officer to take the Great Bay Community College Police Entrance Exam.

All other applicants who are interested in being employed by the Portsmouth Police Department MUST TAKE THIS EXAM. You may get more information on upcoming test dates at http://greatbay.edu/courses/business-training/police-testing.  Interested applicants are encouraged to send resumes and cover letters to tbarrett@cityofportsmouth.com

Age 21 years of age or older

Education High school graduate or GED certificate

Previous Law Enforcement experience preferred

In addition of being 21 years of age or older and having a high school diploma or GED certificate, candidates must be a United States citizen and have a valid driver's license.

Those applicants who are chosen from the written exam eligibility list by the Portsmouth Police Department will be invited, along with the full-time certified applicants, to participate in the Portsmouth Police Department's physical agility test. 

Applicants who successfully complete this phase of the hiring process will be further invited to attend the Portsmouth Police Department's Oral Board Evaluation process.

In the event that a candidate is chosen to continue in the process they will be required to participate and pass an extensive background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological examination and medical screening.  Successful completion of this process will require the non-certified candidate to attend the NH Police Academy.

For additional information please contact Lt. Christian Cummings 603-610-7508 or via e-mail at ccummings@cityofportsmouth.com

Duties

• Performs patrolling duties in a vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot in an assigned area
• Answers calls for service
• Investigates traffic accidents and criminal offenses
• Makes arrests, issues citations and warnings
• Interacts with the community
• Identification of community problem areas with expected problem solutions
• Processes and transports prisoners
• Gathers information and writes investigative and other reports

 

The Portsmouth Police Department offers full-time sworn officers the ability to apply for a variety of special assignments including the Bike Patrol, Crime Stoppers, Crisis Negotiation Team, Detectives, Seacoast Emergency Response Team, Honor Guard, Police K-9, Motorcycle Patrol, Narcotics Unit, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Firearms Armorer, Defensive Tactics/ASP/OC/Taser Instructor, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), Breath-test Operator and Child Passenger Safety-Seat Inspector.

 

Please apply at the link below

http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/police/employ-ftpo.htm