BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Master patrol officer Jacqueline Pelletier recently made a move from the Bow Police Department to Dunbarton to take over the full-time executive officer position vacated by Chief Christopher Connelly, who succeeded Chief Jeff Nelson at the end of March.

As the executive officer, Pelletier is second in command at the Police Department.

Beginning her career as a part-time officer and full-time communications specialist with the Goffstown Police Department in 1999, Pelletier met Connelly, who was then a patrol sergeant with the department and her field training officer.

“Frankly, I could not be more pleased to have someone of Jacqueline’s character join me in a leadership role within the agency. She is an extremely competent, dedicated, compassionate and professional officer, is wonderful with people and will be a tremendous asset to our agency and the community. Jacqueline is firm, but has a very fair and balanced approach to her law enforcement duties,” said Connelly.

According to Connelly, the department works hard to attract and hire people who will be a good fit for the department and community.

“Jacqueline embodies all of the fine qualities that we search out when looking for members to join our agency. It takes a particular desire and temperament to police a small community, and I think that she will be a wonderful addition. She loves community involvement, and I think people will find that she is very approachable and find her enjoyable to interact with.”

“It’s a great honor and a privilege to be able to work with a person who is not only my chief and my friend, but also my mentor,” she said.

Before coming to Dunbarton as the department’s new second in command, Pelletier was employed for three years as a patrol officer with the neighboring Bow Police Department.

Pelletier said she was offered an opportunity she couldn’t refuse.

“One of my biggest reasons was the opportunity here to become a D.A.R.E. officer and field training officer, along with the schedule and the community,” said Pelletier. “Here in Dunbarton, the schedule is easier for my husband and I to start having a family in the near future.”

Pelletier’s husband, Michael, is a New Hampshire state trooper who often works overnights as she did in Bow as well.

Still, Pelletier left Bow on good terms and Police Chief Jeff Jaran says he wishes her nothing but the best.

“We’re very sorry to see (Jacqueline) leave the department, but she left for a situation that presented a better opportunity for her family,” said Jaran. “We have a great working relationship with the Dunbarton Police Department, so we’ll certainly see and deal with her on a regular basis, which is great for everyone involved. We’ll miss her, but it’s good to know she is close by.”

Pelletier graduated from the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council Full-time Police Academy in 2002.

A certified child passenger safety seat technician, Pelletier is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree degree in criminal justice.