Judged:
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3
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2
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Former HPD Sergeant Cecil Smith appointed to permanent chief
By Bernie Marvin
September 03, 2009
See more photos from New Haverhill Police Chief Cecil Smith
HAVERHILL-Cecil Smith, the ranking officer on the Haverhill Police Department has been appointed chief of the department by Town Manager Glenn English this week, with unanimous approval by the five Haverhill selectmen. He also signed a three-year contract with the town.
The action came on Monday night upon the recommendation by English that the department should now be operating with a full time chief and Smith was qualified to do it and was interested in taking the job.
Smith had been acting chief, appointed last month by English after the former Chief, Jeffrey Williams submitted his letter of resignation after being charged with driving while intoxicated by the New Hampshire State Police.
The new chief is a former Major of the US Army, retiring in 1992 after 20 years service. He joined the police department in July 1995, was promoted to Corporal in 1997 and elevated to Sergeant in 2001.
His military career took him to bases throughout the world as an Asian Intelligence Specialist.
Smith said in an interview with the Bridge Weekly Sho-Case on Monday night that he had thought of retiring next August, but when the vacancy for chief became available he decided he wanted to be considered for the job.
He said he will plan to implement some personnel changes within the department. He said there are now two corporals, Walter Trott and Byron Charles hwo act as patrol supervisors in the six man department. He said he plans to use the corporals not only as patrol supervisors, but also as investigators to follow up on felony and high level misdemeanor cases.
Smith will continue the chief's position as a working chief, in that he will also go out on patrols, plus be available for administrative duties. He told selectmen earlier in the evening during his budget presentation to the board that he presently has enough money in his police budget to fund the seventh position, the one vacated when the former chief resigned.
He said he will be looking to hire part time officers to fill the job, rather than a full time officer. That way, he and the training officers can get a look at how the part timer operates before he is hired permanently by the town.
Three years ago, the department asked for an eighth officer. They had the same request two years ago and on both occasions were unable to gain much enthusiasm from either the budget committee or selectmen. Last year the request for an eighth officer was shelved.
Smith said this week he will study the eight man department proposal and may approach the board with that request. He said he might possibly be doing this because of the nature of the crimes being committed in Haverhill.
He said Haverhill has had several murders over the years and the nature of criminal action is changing, from what was a usual Saturday night beating to a murder. And it was pointed out earlier by Town Manager English that the crime rates are climbing in town because of the poor economy.
Other officers on the department serving with Chief Smith and Corporals Trott and Charles are Brandon Ailing, Robert Martin and Greg Collins.