Press Releases

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the Board of Police Commissioners promoted Lieutenant Chris Cummings to the rank of Captain. His effective date and division of assignment are TBD.

On Tuesday, October 26th, 2021, the Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to promote Officer Charley Raizes and Officer Matt Fredrickson to the Special Detail position of Detective assigned to the Investigative Division. Their appointment became effective immediately. 

The Portsmouth Police Department will be joining the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other seacoast communities on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, this Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 at the Portsmouth Police Department from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event is being offered to the community to provide an opportunity to turn in prescription drugs which may be in your household and are no longer needed. The department will take pills, patches and liquid medicine. No needles or sharp items will be accepted.

On October 18, 2021 at 12:23pm, the Portsmouth Police Department responded to the Citizens Bank on Pleasant St. in Portsmouth for a report of a possible fraud. Employees of Citizens Bank believed an illegitimate check was presented to them and contacted police. Investigating officers determined that a male attempted to cash a fraudulent check using a fake Massachusetts driver’s license. The male was taken into custody on-scene and brought to the Portsmouth Police Department for processing. The male was identified as:

On 09/19/2021, the Portsmouth Police Department responded to 565 Islington St, Sunoco Gas Station, for a report of a robbery.  At approximately 2:40 pm, a male entered the store and walked behind the counter demanding money. The male immediately began to assault the clerk before leaving the store. The clerk sustained minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital. 

Effective Thursday, September 9th, parking restrictions will be in place along Grafton Drive in Portsmouth for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show.

Shortly before 1:00 AM on August 5th, Portsmouth Police were dispatched to the parking lot of the Quality Inn at 1190 Lafayette Road for a reported motor vehicle crash. A vehicle had crashed into two parked vehicles in the lot, causing extensive damage.

Shortly after 10:30 PM on July 7th, the Portsmouth Police Department was investigating a multi-car crash on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth. In doing so, traffic travelling north on Lafayette Road was temporarily diverted down Constitution Avenue until the roadway was clear.

On June 19, 2021, Portsmouth Police Officer Keegan Pearl conducted a traffic stop on Gosling Road in the City of Portsmouth. As Ofc. Pearl approached the stopped vehicle on foot, the vehicle sped off at a high rate of speed. Ofc. Pearl attempted to stop the vehicle which continued west on Gosling Road. The vehicle entered onto the property of the U.S. Air Force Base on Pease Boulevard where the male operator bailed on foot. He briefly ran through the secured base before scaling a perimeter fence and exiting.

On June 12, 2021 at approximately 12:37AM, Portsmouth PD officers were dispatched to the area of Bartlett Street and Cate Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident. Units arrived on scene quickly and found a single motor vehicle in the roadway evidencing significant damage. The vehicle was found to be unoccupied and information developed indicated someone had fled from the vehicle prior to police arrival.