Elected Police Chief
Towns may adopt the position of a “police chief” which can either be an appointed or elected position. An elected “police chief” is arguably more accountable because they are directly answerable to the voters.
Petition Process
- Towns
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The minimum number of signatures needed is “25 or more registered voters or 2 percent of the registered voters in town, whichever is less, although in no event shall fewer than 10 registered voters be sufficient”.
RSA 39:3
Article Structure
To see if the Town will vote pursuant to RSA 41:47 and RSA 669:16 to change the Police Chief position from an appointed position to an elected position. If approved, the change shall be effective as of (March __, ____ 1 year from date of town meeting), at the conclusion of the (20__ next year town meeting) annual town meeting, with the term of the Police Chief appointed at the (20__ current year town meeting) annual town meeting ending on (March __, ____ 1 year from date of current town meeting).
Example
To see if the Town will vote pursuant to RSA 41:47 and RSA 669:16 to change the Police Chief position from an appointed position to an elected position. If approved, the change shall be effective as of March 10, 2027, at the conclusion of the 2027 annual town meeting, with the term of the Police Chief appointed at the 2026 annual town meeting ending on March 10, 2027.