To the editor:

The residents of Portsmouth are very fortunate to have such a fine group of young men and women serving in the Portsmouth Police Department. 

The officers of the Portsmouth Police Department are dedicated, very well-trained and sensitive to the needs of all the people they serve. Members of the latest Citizens Police Academy recently completed 10 weeks of instruction on such topics as domestic violence, DUI enforcement, use of force, animal control, accident reconstruction, criminal law, firearms safety, internet crimes, crime scene investigation and several other interesting topics.

The officers and detectives are very knowledgeable about all facets of police work and wear several hats, including harbormaster, firearms safety instructor, internet crimes and accident reconstruction. They also lend their expertise to other communities. We had the opportunity to go to the firing range and, after much instruction, to shoot a .45 caliber pistol. We also had the chance to ride along in a patrol car to observe the actual day-to-day job.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and, I am sure, the other participants did as well. Thank you to Police Chief Col. Thomas F. Lee and Deputy Chief Major Brian P. Peters for making this program available to the citizens of Portsmouth. Portsmouth should be very proud of these fine leaders and the officers under their command.

Jacqueline Shearman

17 Island Road

Portsmouth