2022 – 2026 STRATEGIC PLAN

The Portsmouth Police Department’s Strategic Plan serves as a guide for the organization’s priorities over the next five years. The plan was finalized in 2022, with input from our officers, as well as the community, and will help continue the department’s path forward pledging honesty, integrity, and pride to the public that the department serves and protects. The strategies identified in the plan hope to aid our department in the department’s quest to continually improve upon the services the department provides, as the department continues to progress as a modern policing agency. Included in this plan is the attainment of national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) which will enhance community trust by enacting, maintaining, and following the highest standards of police professionalism. This plan consists of five (5) focus categories that will serve as the vision for growth and advancement of the Portsmouth Police Department.

The Portsmouth Police Department’s full strategic plan can be found here: https://portsmouthri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5028/Strategic-Plan-2022-2026

Enhancing Community Trust

• CALEA Accreditation

• Citizens Police Academy Continuance

• Youth Leadership Camp

• Social Media Expansion

Equipment & Technology

• Fleet Replacement Plan

• Body-Worn Camera Implementation

• Cybersecurity Enhancement

• Less Than Lethal Force Improvements

Facilities

• P.I. Public Safety Facility

• Firearms Range Improvements

Department Structure & Special Services

• Mandatory Supervisors

• Traffic Division

• Search & Rescue K9

• Computer Crimes Specialist

Officer Wellness & Professional Development

• Physical Fitness Experts

• Enhanced Peer Support

• Family Police Support Programs

• Continued Career Support

• Training Hosting & Planning

Administrative Division

Chief of Police

The Chief of Police is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Police Department and is responsible for its effective and efficient operation and the enforcement of rules and regulations of all laws within the town's legal jurisdiction. The Chief exercises all lawful powers of the office and issues such lawful orders as are necessary to assure the professional performance of the department. The Chief of Police is the final authority in all matters relating to policy, procedures, operations, and discipline as provided by law.

Deputy Chief of Police

The Deputy Chief of Police is the second in command of the agency and subject to the direction and control of the Chief. The Deputy Chief is responsible for the supervision of all officers and is accountable for their performance. The Deputy Chief exercises all lawful powers of his office and issues such lawful orders as necessary to assure the professional performance of the police department. The Deputy Chief performs various functions relating to the administration and operation of the department as directed by the Chief of Police. In the Chief's absence, the Deputy Chief will assume the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Chief subject to any limitations set by the Chief.

Administrative Captain

The Administrative Captain oversees both the administrative and detective divisions. The Administrative Captain is the commanding officer of the Administrative Lieutenant, the Detective Lieutenant, the Administrative Sergeant, the Detective Sergeant, the Detective Inspectors, the Animal Control Officer, the Records Division, the Police Mechanic, Prudence Island Public Safety, and the Reserve Officers.

Administrative Lieutenant

The Administrative Lieutenant oversees and has control of the operational responsibilities for the records department, computers, programming, radio systems, telephone systems, vehicle fleet, equipment, and building maintenance

Administrative Sergeant

The Administrative Sergeant oversees and has control of accreditation management and the department’s training division. The Administrative Sergeant is the direct supervisor of the records department, prudence island public safety, animal control officer, and the reserve officers for the department.