Cornish NH Police Department

05/10/2026

Turtles are on the move! 🐢🐢
Be on the lookout for our turtles when traversing our roadways, particularly in May- June when turtles are actively moving
When safe to do so, help our turtles by moving them across the road in the direction to which they were headed.

04/29/2026

***UPDATE****
Owner was located
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This guy was found on Route 120 in the area of Townhouse rd. Please contact Cornish Police if you know where he belongs.

04/23/2026

Great River Hydro will be conducting required maintenance on the Bellows Falls Dam, beginning Sunday, April 26th, and is expected to last 3-4 days.

Great River Hydro will be conducting a draw down of the Connecticut River to make the necessary repairs and as a result you will see exposed riparian areas upstream of the dam.

All recreational boating and use is strongly discouraged during the drawdown period. Reduced water flow may expose previously submerged hazards and could create dangerous conditions in exposed mud flats.
After the work is completed, water levels will be restored to normal operating levels.

Please refrain from recreational use of the Connecticut River at the Cornish Boat Landing during this time frame.

Please contact Great River Hydro at [email protected] or (802) 291-8104.

04/10/2026

Cornish Police is looking to identify the owner of these two dogs. Please contact us if you know where they belong.

01/01/2026

Today is the day! Please welcome me in Congratulating Justin Vivian on his promotion to Chief of Police! He is the man for the job, please make sure you reach out and support him!

12/09/2025

All;

After spending 39 years of my life in law enforcement, the vast majority of it for the Town of Cornish, I formally submitted my intent to retire from my position as Chief of Police to the Board of Selectmen tonight, effective December 31, 2025.

This has been by far the most difficult decision I have made in my life. I loved this job, this town, and everyone in it. Unfortunately, my current medical condition does not allow me to continue to fulfill the necessary duties of Police Chief, nor does it look like it ever will. With that in mind, it is time to begin the next chapter of my life and the next chapter for the Town of Cornish.

I am immensely proud of the accomplishments I have made in the department. I have grown this department into one that has the respect of every law enforcement agency in the area. I have increased the cruiser fleet, built a new police station, added mobile data terminals, instituted a cruiser and body worn camera program for increased transparency, and added a full-time officer to strengthen our coverage and service to the citizens of Cornish.

My succession planning, which began three years ago is probably my proudest achievement. It is never easy to choose your own successor, but WE did it! I have spent the last three years mentoring Lt. Justin Vivian to be the next Cornish Police Chief, and I am proud to report, with full confidence, he is ready to lead the department into the next chapter.

At my request, the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to promote Lt. Vivian to the rank of Chief of Police effective January 1, 2026.

Thank you for the trust, support, and partnership you have extended to me throughout my career here in Cornish. Again, it has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Cornish as your Chief of Police.

11/06/2025

Well, the time change was not the only changed on Saturday!

Saturday night, at the stroke of midnight, after 24 years of dedicated service to the Town of Cornish, Sgt. Corey Stevens hung his gun belt for the last time. Yes, it’s true, Corey has retired.

From domestics, to being shot at, to helping a lost child at the Cornish Fair, he has done and seen it all. Corey was my back up for the past 24 years. Never failing to come to my aid when I yelled for help! His presence and knowledge will be missed deeply.

Please join me in thanking him for his service. Also, thanks are due to his wife Kristi and son Cameron for sharing him for so many years. If you see any of them pass along your thanks and best wishes.

05/28/2025

Cornish Police received multiple calls this evening regarding a pavement company scam in the area.

These companies typically claim to be doing work in the area and have extra paving material leftover. Often scammers will claim to be giving you a "discount" and the price will often increase prior to or upon job completion.

Please be weary of scams such as this and click the link below to help protect yourself.

https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/22795-bbb-scam-alert-need-a-new-driveway-look-out-for-asphalt-scams

If you've fallen victim to a scam such as this. Please contact the Cornish Police Department.

05/01/2025

Press Release

Authority; E. Douglas Hackett, Chief of Police

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at approximately 5:05 pm, the Cornish Police Department was notified of a Car versus Bicycle accident on Rt 12A at the intersection with the Cornish Windsor Covered Bridge. Cornish Police, Cornish Fire, Cornish Rescue Squad as well as Windsor Fire and Ambulance responded to the scene and located a bicyclist down in the roadway.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, but initial witness accounts indicate the bicyclist, Michael Hamel, 70, of Ascutney VT was operating a northbound e-bike on Rt 12A and signaled to make a left-hand turn onto the Cornish Windsor Covered Bridge. A Nissan delivery van operated by John Webster, 55 of Hartland VT was coming off the Covered Bridge, stopped at the stop sign, and proceeded to make a left-hand turn to travel north on Rt 12A and struck the bicyclist.

Hamel was transported to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon NH by Windsor Ambulance with serious injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening.

The Cornish Police Department was assisted by Windsor VT Police and NH State Police.

Any witnesses to this accident are asked to contact Chief Hackett at (603) 543-0535 or [email protected].

Cornish Police remind motorists that bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycles are prevalent this time of year on our roadways. Please use extra caution, and share the road.

Send a message to learn more

04/14/2025

Its that time again! Join Cornish PD at the Recycle Center to dispose of your unwanted prescription medications!