After six years with the Dunbarton Police Department, Chief Jeff Nelson is retiring.

Nelson, who came to Dunbarton after 19 years with the Goffstown Police Department, had his resignation accepted by selectmen at their meeting on Thursday, March 15.

Chairman Mert Mann said he has seen first hand the positive effect Nelson has had on the town and is disappointed to see him go.

“I was there when we went from a part-time chief to a fulltime chief, and it really meant a lot to the town to get the right person,” said Mann. “Being such a small, quiet, laid-back community with growth all around us, we needed to make sure we got the right guy, and we did – the right guy was living right under our nose here in town.”

Mann said he expected Nelson to move on, but not this soon.

“We’re sad to let him go, but we wish him nothing but the best,” he said.

Nelson was the commander of investigative services with Goffstown police before arriving in Dunbarton in 2001 and is now leaving to accept a position as bureau chief in charge of administration with New Hampshire Juvenile Justice Services.

Nelson, who was a finalist for the position of director of Juvenile Justice Services, received an offer for the bureau chief position instead.

His last day as Dunbarton police chief will be Friday, March 30.

During Nelson’s time in Dunbarton, the department has evolved from one that staffed only three part-time positions to one that now has three full-time officers, six part-timers, and three auxiliary officers.

“The thing I’m most proud of is the people we’ve attracted and kept,” said Nelson. “All, but one person we currently have here have been hired by our administration, and I think the quality of those folks speaks for itself.”

“The people are what it’s all about,” he continued. “We’ve got great people in the department and great people supporting us in the community, so certainly the most enjoyable aspect, in the end, has been the people.”

In addition to staffing, Nelson said the department was also transformed by the process that led up to receiving national “recognition” from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

CALEA encourages departments to strive for excellence and work with the community to instill confidence and trust through meeting and exceeding professional standards.

To become the first police department in New Hampshire to receive CALEA recognition with part-time officers, Nelson brought all of his part-time officers up to full-time standards.

The process revolutionized the departments procedures in terms of record keeping, inventories and systems of checks and balances, said Nelson.

“It transformed us from a department with virtually very little resources to one that meets national standards,” he said. “To take a department that was really in difficult times and have turned it around to the point that it is CALEA recognized is really a credit to all those involved.”

After accomplishing many of his goals, Nelson said the time was right to leave.

“It’s important, when you’re in a leadership position, to know when it’s time to move on. I wanted to leave on a positive note, and at the right time,” he said.

“Some people can overstay their welcome, but I feel that you go in with certain intentions and once you’ve succeeded and met your goals, it’s time to start looking and let some fresh blood step in and continue to move the department in the right direction.”

Nelson said he expects executive officer Christopher Connelly, a four-year member of the department, to take over as chief.

“I think full (CALEA) accreditation is something that’s always been an ultimate goal, and I think Chris is moving in that direction and will continue to move in that direction once I’m gone.”

Still, Nelson said he is disappointed he won’t see other projects come to fruition, including an addition and renovation to the current public safety building, but is comfortable knowing Connelly is in the driver’s seat.

“I know those are great challenges and great possibilities for Chris, and I know he’s the right guy to achieve those goals,” said Nelson. “Certainly, he’s been the person that all along we’ve intended to take over the leadership position.”

Nelson said he has always taken the ideal of succession very seriously and brought in Connelly with the idea that he would one day serve as his replacement.