UPDATE: Concerned Citizen Urges Rochester Leadership to Address Police Department Resignations

Photo byNew England Pulse

ROCHESTER, NH – A Facebook post by Rochester NH Scanner Alerts has sparked public conversation surrounding the ongoing challenges within the Rochester Police Department, as a concerned citizen calls on the city’s leadership to take action following a sharp increase in officer resignations. The open letter, addressed to the Rochester Police Commission, City Manager, Mayor, and City Council, highlights the department’s leadership and management practices, which the letter suggests have led to a significant turnover in staff.

According to the letter, 14 officers have resigned from the department in the first nine months of 2024—compared to five in 2020 and 12 in 2021. Many of these officers are not leaving law enforcement but are transferring to other agencies, often without significant pay increases. This suggests that the resignations are due to internal issues rather than broader recruitment challenges in law enforcement. The letter warns that another one to three officers could leave before the end of the year, with more departures potentially in 2025.

The concerned citizen attributes the officer exodus to a culture of micromanagement and lack of support from city leadership, pointing out that "overly restrictive policies" and a "lack of trust from leadership" are driving officers away. The letter stresses that Rochester’s situation is unique in the area, contrasting it with neighboring departments that are not experiencing similar turnover rates. A key issue raised is the so-called "Mother May I" culture, where officers are required to seek approval for routine tasks, which undermines their professional judgment and hampers efficiency.

The letter calls for independent exit interviews conducted through the city’s Human Resources department rather than internally, in order to get more honest feedback from departing officers. It also urges elected officials to support police leadership and officers by reducing micromanagement and offering retention incentives such as longevity bonuses and career development opportunities. The letter warns that focusing solely on recruitment will not resolve the deeper issues driving current officers away, and that efforts must be made to retain experienced officers who have vital institutional knowledge.

In an update on September 28, 2024, Rochester NH Scanner Alerts reported that two weeks had passed since the letter was sent to city officials, and there had been no response. This silence has further frustrated concerned community members who feel that the lack of communication is exacerbating the problem. The absence of any acknowledgment from the city has only intensified calls for immediate action, as the community continues to seek answers and solutions to prevent further damage to the police department.

Residents are being encouraged to contact city officials to voice their concerns and support efforts to address the underlying issues within the Rochester Police Department.

The information for this article was sourced from a public Facebook post by Rochester NH Scanner Alerts.