By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT- The town of Newport has sworn in Barry Hunter as the new interim Chief of Police.
Hunter comes to Newport as former Chief, Brent Wilmot, takes over as the Claremont Chief of Police. Wilmont became Chief in Newport, and held that position, until Monday when the change became official.
Hunter, who has 44 years of law enforcement service, was suggested to Town Manager Hunter Rieseberg when the town began looking to fill the position. After receiving many recommendations, including high praise from Chief Wilmot, Rieseberg made his decision.
“Since I started in law enforcement I’ve looked up to Hunter as a mentor. He has something he still wants to give and he’s excited to give back to the town of Newport. A lot of people, myself included, are very excited,” Wilmot said of Hunter being named Interim Chief.
A Lempster, New Hampshire resident since 1979, Hunter started his career in 1978 as a New Hampshire State Trooper. He graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration in 1975.
During his roughly 30 years of service to the state of New Hampshire, Hunter has taken on a number of roles in law enforcement. He has served as each rank and performed patrol assignments in Sullivan County. He worked with the state’s drug unit for five years, as well as the homicide division for a number of years. His professional experience with the New Hampshire State Police ultimately culminated with him being promoted to Executive Major, the number two in charge of the state police. Hunter eventually retired from the state police in 2007. Very shortly after, Hunter went to work with the sheriff’s department where he continues to work as a deputy.
Hunter has completed a bit of crash course field training, a large portion of which has been bringing Hunter up to date with current police technology. Wilmot joked at the irony of training someone who has been in law enforcement since before he was born, but there have been a number of technological advancements in the years since Hunter retired.
Applications for the position of the Chief of Police for the town have already been sent to the town manager. After the hiring process which includes a background check, personal interviews and a polygraph exam the position will be extended to an applicant.
At this time it is believed that it will be roughly three months before a new Chief is hired, during which time Hunter will serve as Interim. After which he intends to return to the Sheriff’s office as a deputy where he is responsible for a number of tasks including policy development and criminal investigations.
Hunter has a deep respect for the town of Newport and looks forward to the opportunity to give back to the town.
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