Sullivan Named New Police Chief

By Scott E. Kinney, Atlantic News Staff Writer

Atlantic News, Friday, December 16, 2005

[The following article is courtesy of Atlantic News]

HAMPTON -- As of January next year, Captain Jamie Sullivan of the Hampton police department will have a new title: Chief.

The town announced last week that Sullivan will be filling the vacancy created when current Police Chief William Wrenn accepted the job as the state's corrections commissioner.

Sullivan joined the department in 1984 as a special officer. On January 2, 1986 he became a full-time officer. Sullivan as risen through the ranks over the years, promoted to Sergeant in April 1996, Lieutenant in July 1996 and Captain in April of 1998. He has served as the department's prosecutor and commander of the department's Special Response Team (SRT) and is currently the executive officer of the Seacoast Emergency Response Team.

Town Manager James Barrington said the department was fortunate to have someone on board of Sullivan's caliber ready to step in to the position.

"We could have spent a lot of time and money doing a national search and could not have found someone more qualified," he said.

Sullivan lives in Hampton with his wife, Cathy, and their three sons Colin, Michael, and Matthew. He has been an active community participant, volunteering as assistant coach for the Winnacunnet High School wrestling team and event director for the Special Olympics NH Penguin Plunge.

Current Hampton Police Chief, William Wrenn said he has known Sullivan since Sullivan first joined the department. He said he is leaving the department in very capable hands.

"He has the knowledge, the skills and the abilities necessary," said Wrenn. "I'm very confident he will do an excellent job as chief of police here in Hampton."

He will be sworn in as chief on his 20th anniversary as a full-time officer with the department.

"I'm very proud and very excited about the new challenges," said Sullivan on Monday. "I'm looking forward to working towards the future with the folks here at Hampton police department."