Bristol begins search for new (permanent) police chief

Town administrator explains why he looked outside the department for interim chief

Posted 3/11/19

Bristol will begin a search for a new police chief, after swearing in a new chief in a surpise announcement on Monday morning. Brian Peters, a retired 20-year veteran of the Portsmouth Police …

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Bristol begins search for new (permanent) police chief

Town administrator explains why he looked outside the department for interim chief

Posted

Bristol will begin a search for a new police chief, after swearing in a new chief in a surpise announcement on Monday morning. Brian Peters, a retired 20-year veteran of the Portsmouth Police Department, began work this morning, after longtime Chief Josue D. Canario retired unexpectedly on Friday.

The Monday swearing-in was overseen by Bristol Town Administrator Steve Contente, himself a retired Bristol deputy chief. Asked why he did not promote from within the Bristol Police Department, Mr. Contente explained that he sought an interim with the rank of at least deputy chief.

In a release, Mr. Contente's office said, "On Friday, March 8, Bristol Police Chief Josue D. Canario submitted to Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente a letter of intent to retire effective May 9, 2019. Chief Canario has served with the Bristol Police Department for 33 years, the last 11 years as Police Chief. As of March 11, 2019, Chief Canario will be on voluntary medical leave until the date of his retirement."

Mr. Contente was caught by surprise a couple of weeks ago when he learned through media reports that the Bristol Police Department had lost accreditation with two official law enforcement agencies. At the time, he said he did not understand why Chief Canario had not informed him of the change in status.

Meet the new (interim) guy

Chief Peters brings a wealth of experience to the job, experience and training that includes management, investigations, budgeting, media relations, internal affairs, and professional standards. Chief Peters served as deputy police chief in Portsmouth from 2013 until his retirement at age 42 in March 2018. He had been on the force for 20 years.

Although he declined last year to explain why he chose to retire from the Portsmouth Police force, others said the primary reason was the potential loss of pension benefits in the next labor contract, which the town and union were negotiating at the time.

Chief Peters invited his old boss, Portsmouth Police Chief Thomas Lee, to Monday’s ceremony.

“They picked a good man; they couldn’t have done better,” Chief Lee said afterwards. “I always hoped that Brian would take over for me — I don’t think that’s any secret — but I’m glad he has that opportunity.”

Mr. Contente's office will begin the search for a permanent replacement, and Interim Chief Peters began his new role, effective immediately.

"I wish to thank Chief Josue D. Canario for his 33 years of dedicated service to the Town of Bristol," Mr. Contente said in his statement. "I am confident that Chief Peters will provide professional law enforcement leadership at the Bristol Police Department."

Former Chief Canario has not returned calls seeking comment.

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