The Select Board is pleased to announce that effective Monday, March 29, 2021, Jonathan Uraskevich is the new Chief of Police for the Town of Rollinsford. Today begins a new era for the Rollinsford Police Department under the capable leadership of Chief Uraskevich. The Select Board is looking forward to working with the Chief and implementing common goals.
Congratulations Chief!
TOWN OF ROLLINSFORD
MEDIA RELEASE
RE: Police Chief Selection
March 18, 2021
ROLLINSFORD – The Rollinsford Select Board is pleased to announce the Board’s unanimous decision to promote Lieutenant Jonathan Uraskevich to Police Chief pending negotiation of terms of employment and compensation.
A lifelong resident of New Hampshire, Jon graduated from Nute High School before beginning his career as a Police Officer in Milton, New Hampshire. In 2002 he was appointed as a full-time Patrol Officer with the Rollinsford Police Department. In 2005, he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, and to Lieutenant in 2012. During Jon’s time as an officer in Rollinsford, he has built strong relationships within the community on patrol, as a prosecutor, and as an executive leader.
Jon was selected after an internal process to replace Police Chief Robert Ducharme, who retired December 31st.
The Rollinsford Select Board looks forward to working with Jon in the best interest of the Town of Rollinsford and the Rollinsford Police Department.
A winter PARKING BAN will be in effect beginning Monday, February 15th at 9PM through Wednesday, February 17th at 6AM.
A winter parking ban will be in place starting today at 4 pm and will expire on Wednesday at 12 pm.
The Select Board has decided to engage with Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) to lead the Police Department for the next few months starting January 1st while a search for a new permanent Chief is conducted.
Having an outside firm manage the Department in the short term will provide the Board with the insight needed to objectively determine the best path forward for Rollinsford. The Police Chief is one of the most important positions in a Town. Therefore, the Select Board will take the time to exercise due diligence in filling the vacancy. All current officers have been encouraged to apply for the permanent Chief position once it is posted.
The Town has already benefited from the experience and expertise of Sean Kelly of MRI through the outside investigation of a domestic violence incident earlier this year. Through that process it became clear that outside perspectives can be helpful in assessing Rollinsford’s needs. We don’t know what we don’t know!
The cost of these services falls well within the budgeted amount for the planned full-time Police Chief position because of the savings in not paying the associated benefits.
We hope you will all provide Mr. Kelly a warm welcome.
After 38 years of continued service for Rollinsford, Chief Robert “Bob” Ducharme is retiring as of December 31st! Starting in 1982 when he became a part-time officer, he quickly moved into a full-time position in 1986, and has served as Chief since 1992.Throughout those years has been an active member of our community including spearheading the Police Benevolent Association drive for holiday food baskets for needy residents.
The Town would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation for his dedicated service and we need your help.We would love to host you all in person and allow you the opportunity to say your fond farewells, but current social distancing requirements make that difficult.
Yet there is a way to celebrate and it takes each of you. We hope you will help Bob remember his time with us and remember it fondly. Maybe you could write him a letter recounting a story of a time he helped you. Perhaps you and he shared a funny moment together. So many things have happened over those years. If you remember things, even as a bystander, now is the time to compliment his service. Most of us were part of his time here in some way, even if it was just a simple “hello” at the Post Office. It could even be a thank-you for that warning he gave you when he pulled you when he could have given you a ticket. Let’s get creative!
We will compile the submissions and put them into a nice book to present to him that he can enjoy for years to come.
Help us make this moment special for him. You can mail them to the Town Hall (PO Box 309,) or put them in the drop box at the Town Hall. We ask that you have your submissions in by Tuesday, January 19th.
Town of Rollinsford
Guidelines for Trick or Treat
Friday, October 30, 2020
5 pm- 7pm
The Town of Rollinsford is not prohibiting Trick or Treat activities and encourages residents to follow the state recommendations set by the Governor’s Office. The CDC lists trick or treat activities as High risk and residents need to take responsible action to prevent the spread of Covid 19 and ask themself if the possible risk is worth it.
If you are planning on Trick or Treating:
If you are planning on handing out treats:
Additional information and guidelines can be found at CDC. gov and ReadyNH.gov
The outside investigation performed by Municipal Resources Incorporated is complete.
The executive summary can be found here.
We appreciate the concern for the individual who was recently involved in an incident in Rollinsford. The Town of Rollinsford and the Rollinsford Police Department are committed to assuring for the public that the situation was handled in a professional, non-biased manner based upon the information known during the incident. Unfortunately, because this is an ongoing investigation we are not allowed to disclose any specific information about the incident.
We are aware that a fake Rollinsford Police Department Facebook page has been set up and we strongly disagree with the content posted by its creator.
The officer who is accused of abusing his wife has never been employed by the Rollinsford Police Department. He works for a neighboring department which is conducting its own investigation. The case is now being handled by the Strafford County Attorney’s Office and is out the hands of Rollinsford Police. The Rollinsford Police Department has demonstrated in the past that it does not and will not protect police officers. If there is probable cause to make an arrest, that person will be arrested regardless of who they are.
The Town is engaging with an outside agency to conduct a review of how this case was managed by our Police Department to assure we are continuing to meet our own high standards of equity, dignity, and respect for all those with whom we come into contact. The report of that investigation will be made available to the public as soon as possible. The Rollinsford Police Department has always treated all persons with courtesy and professionalism.
Robert Ducharme, Chief of Police
Denise Knowles, Select Board Chairperson
Myles England, Select Board
Paul Cass, Select Board