BY ROD HANSEN
A dual swearing-in ceremony on Monday, April 9, told the tale of two police captains.
While one member of the police force was sworn into that position that evening, the veteran policeman leaving the post will continue serving the department as a special officer.
Michael Sullivan, a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, came to the Goffstown Police Department from the private sector part time in 1982 and assumed full-time duties in 1984. Sullivan took the oath to become police captain in a swearing-in ceremony in the Mildred Stark Room at town hall, surrounded by his wife, Mary; son, Corey; and daughter, Shannon; and various other relatives.
In introducing Sullivan at the swearing-in, Police Chief Michael French noted that Sullivan had also served on the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force as an undercover officer, had spent eight years in Goffstown’s detectives division, and had been promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2001 and lieutenant in 2003.
In his new duties as captain, Sullivan, 46, will serve in a variety of tasks including overseeing all police divisions and acting as the department’s public information officer.
“It seems to be something new every day in police work. Even when you hear about a call an officer went on, you’re always learning new things,” said Sullivan.
He said some of his most informative experiences in police work came as a member of the detectives’ division. He said he took several courses in that capacity, including classes on drug and juvenile investigations and juvenile prosecution, along with interview and interrogation techniques.
As police captain, Sullivan said he hoped to see the department broaden its investigative staff and increase its use of the Internet in police work.
“I’d like to see us get more investigators, and get more involved in using the Internet for investigations and apprehensions,” Sullivan said.
By assuming the role of captain, Sullivan takes the place of former Capt. Glenn DuBois. Beginning his service as a special officer in 1974, he became full time in 1980.
DuBois’ most recent positions with the department include his promotion to lieutenant in 1999 and to captain in 2003.
DuBois is also a shotgun instructor and recognized firearms expert, French said.
Rather than retiring from the department outright, DuBois said he will continue to serve the department as he began, in the role of special officer.
“As a special officer, I’ll work details, cover road shifts, disasters and emergencies,” said DuBois, adding that special officers perform a vital function within the department and possess all the same powers and duties as other police officers.
DuBois also said serving as special officer will soften the experience of leaving police work after more than three decades’ service.
“I wanted to wean myself off of it,” said DuBois, who attended his swearing-in ceremony as special officer with his wife, Denise.