BRISTOL — James McIntire has taken the oath as the new chief of the Bristol Police Department.
McIntire comes to Bristol from the Northfield Police Department, and he had worked in Laconia, Belmont, Bow, and with the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department.
McIntire fills the vacancy created by the resignation of former Police Chief Michael Lewis last October, after having been placed on administrative leave a month earlier.
McIntire actually began his new duties on March 26, and has been meeting with various community groups to introduce himself and learn of any concerns citizens have.
“I’m truly honored to be standing here,” McIntire said. “I take my oath very seriously, and will work hard to make this town proud.”
To demonstrate that he also has a sense of humor, he noted that a relative had flown in from Wisconsin for the ceremony “so my other kidney could be here tonight.”
Jennifer Schillinger, administrative assistant for the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department, opened the evening by singing the national anthem.
Rick Alpers, chairman of the Bristol Board of Selectmen, spoke of the grueling application process to make sure they selected the best candidate, and said McIntire was everything they wanted in a new police chief.
McIntire served four years in the New Hampshire Army National Guard and owned a construction company, and he has been involved in Boy Scouts, the Lakes Region Boys and Girls Club, and as an assistant swim coach.
18 April 2018