By Chris Paul
Deputy Police Chief, Kim Bernard, was officially named the Londonderry Chief of Police during the Town Council meeting on Monday night, Oct. 3.
Bernard assumed command of the Londonderry Police Department following Chief William Hart’s retirement on Aug. 5, and has been with Londonderry for over 21 years.
Bernard has held numerous roles in the department throughout his tenure, they include: Patrolman; Field Training Officer; Patrol Sergeant; Detective Sergeant; Support Services Lieutenant; Watch Commander; Operations Captain and Deputy Chief.
Town Manager, Mike Malaguti, proposed the appointment Monday night and said he felt Bernard was more than up for the challenge of his new role. Malaguti said, “Kim’s greatest strength is his ability to deal with people. To a fault, he treats people decently and always strives to do the right thing.”
He added that Bernard has navigated some difficult waters over the past few months and has done it with professionalism and dignity.
The Town Council voted unanimously to move forward with Malaguti’s choice.
Bernard spoke briefly after the appointment saying he grew up in Goffstown and barely knew anything of Londonderry until meeting his predecessor Bill Hart and former Chief, Joe Ryan.
He was hired during a time when his daughter was battling an illness and Chief Ryan welcomed him soon after family crisis subsided.
Bernard said, “This police department gave me everything it could have in my life, and I’m going to give back everything I have for many years to come.”
He added, “I will do my best to serve you with dignity and honor and to the community, I will give you transparency and honestly every day I’m in office.”
He also mentioned there would not be any major changes underway yet in the departments, but he would be building the staff to form the best police force in the state. He also added that residents would see him throughout the community, maybe more than people would like, and the door is always open for anyone with questions or concerns.