05/07/2026
Good morning, Hampstead,
I want to provide some information regarding concerns I expressed at the April 13th Select Board meeting. As most of you know, in 2022 the State of NH purchased the Hampstead Hospital campus, located at 218 East Road. The State’s intention was to use the existing facility as a treatment center for adolescents with mental health and or substance use disorders. Additionally, the decision was made, despite residents’ concerns, to build a 30-million-dollar, juvenile detention facility on the same property, in order to vacate the problem-plagued Sununu Youth Detention Center in Manchester. The new Hampstead juvenile detention center is scheduled for completion in late 2026, and we expect juvenile inmates to arrive by the end of the year.
Community leaders, including the Select Board and both Police and Fire Chiefs, had concerns from the beginning regarding public safety. During the transition from private agency to state entity, it became clear that the patients at the hospital were some of New Hampshire’s most troubled juveniles. There was a steep learning curve for hospital staffing when dealing with unruly, defiant and violent patients. This resulted in increased police responses for assaults, runaways or self-harm medical calls. This increased the burden on Hampstead’s public safety agencies.
By law, NH State Police cannot assume primary police services in communities with a population of more than 3,000 residents, unless local authorities allow it. Given the increased volume and nature of the calls at the hospital, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was created between the NH State Police (NHSP) and Hampstead Police Department to define the responsibilities: Hampstead Police would have the initial response to emergencies, securing the scene to the extent possible until State Police arrives. Then State Police assumes the role as the primary law enforcement agency and Hampstead Police assist them. This reduces the burden on Hampstead Police and makes them available to respond to other town emergencies when they happen. The average response time for a trooper based out of Troop A in Epping has been between 25 to 30 minutes.
Due to the legal complexities of investigating crimes where juveniles have mental health concerns, it becomes inherently labor intensive. So, NHSP is also responsible for investigating any reports of physical or sexual assault or other criminal activity. This is a significant responsibility delineated in the current MOU. The trooper assigned to Hampstead Hospital investigations, logged over 780 hours on cases last year. An additional workload like that would monopolize Hampstead’s one detective.
With our assistance, NHSP has done a great job handling immediate emergencies and an excellent job with investigatory work required at the hospital. This allows Hampstead officers to remain focused on serving the Hampstead community and not being tied up at the hospital.
With the anticipation of the youth detention center coming online, discussions at the State level began regarding the security needs of the entire campus.
In March 2026, I was advised that NHSP were considering terminating the MOU because they are understaffed. They now consider “Hampstead Hospital” a private entity because recently Dartmouth Health was awarded the service contract at Hampstead Hospital and is leasing the Hampstead Hospital building from the State. Since “Hampstead Hospital” is run & leased by a private entity, NHSP did not feel as though they should be providing police services there.
Withdrawing from the existing MOU would have a profound and costly impact on the Hampstead Police Department and the community at large. Our department does not have the staffing to absorb that additional police workload currently at Hampstead Hospital or what the new Youth Detention Center will require. I reported this conversation and my concerns to the Select Board during the April 13th, 2026, BOS meeting.
On May 5th, Deputy Chief Adam Dyer and I, along with Select-woman Laurie Warnock met with Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn, NHSP Colonel Mark Hall, various NHSP command staff, Deputy Attorney General James Boffetti and a representative from the Department of Justice.
Commissioner Quinn repeatedly assured us that there was no intent to have NHSP withdraw from the existing MOU. Additionally, Commissioner Quinn initiated talks on establishing an MOU for NHSP to handle the future Youth Detention Center as well. Commissioner Quinn and NHSP’s change of heart on whether or not to continue providing primary police services at the 218 East Road property is greatly appreciated. Thank you Commissioner Quinn and New Hampshire State Police!
Deputy AG Boffetti stated his intention to pursue enhanced internal security at Hampstead Hospital via conversations with Dartmouth Health administrators. Deputy AG Boffetti will also be initiating the discussion of security needs on the entire 218 East Road campus, in advance of the detention center opening. This meeting was particularly timely, considering recent Union Leader article about multiple inmates assaulting staff members at the Sununu Youth Detention Center in Manchester, on Sunday.
I want to reassure the community that the safety of Hampstead residents remains Hampstead Police Department’s top priority. We all want the children at the State’s 218 East Road campus to get safe and appropriate care. I will continue, with the Select Board, our state representatives and Senator Birdsell, to reinforce the boundaries of our responsibilities with respect to these two facilities. I will keep the community informed as to the progress of these discussions and of any proposed policy changes likely to impact our ability to serve the community.
Over the past four years, I have been approached continuously by residents and community stakeholders wanting to know the ongoing status of both Hampstead Hospital and the new Youth Detention Center. It is my intent to keep taxpayers informed and help residents fully understand the impact that these two facilities will have on our community.
Respectfully,
Chief Kelley
