
Bow Police Department Community Resource Officer Diana Scott hosted the first Citizens Police Academy in 2009 and quickly filled all 20 seats in the class. Developed in cooperation with the Dunbarton, Weare, Pembroke and Allenstown Police, the program has just begun it’s second session, and is so popular that an Advanced Academy is being prepared for 2011.
Scott and Bow Police Chief Erin Commerford began researching the idea early in 2009. “We attended other police department programs in Laconia, Concord, Rochester and Portsmouth, and took what worked for them, then developed our own program specific to our communities,” explains Chief Commerford. The purpose of the academy is to increase understanding between citizens and the police department, and topics are introduced by Scott, as well as the NH State Police, NH Fish and Game, NH Police Standards and Training, Merrimack County Attorney’s Office and hands-on classes with Bow police officers. “We are touching on different forms and topics of interest within our job description and explaining to citizens what we do and why we do it,” reports Scott.
One of the participants in the current session is Dunbarton resident Don Larsen, who says, “This is another way my wife and I are getting involved with our community.” Chief Commerford says the, “Dunbarton Police Chief really facilitates community participation and helps to make it happen.”

Originally supported through private donations and local businesses, the Citizen's Police Academy now is funded through Concord Regional Crimeline. Five participants are chosen from each community on a first-come, first serve basis. A background check is mandatory and no participant may have a felony or domestic violence conviction, misdemeanor conviction or be on probation. You must be 18 year of age or older, and reside in one of the five cooperating communities. The popular program fills up through word-of-mouth, and there is a waiting list. For more information, call Officer Diana Scott at 228-0511.