Longtime North Hampton police lieutenant who stayed after 'mass exodus' retires
NORTH HAMPTON — After 22 years of service, police Lt. James Russell will retire this week, and according to many, he’s going to be missed.
North Hampton Police Chief Robert LaBarge brought the news to the Select Board at its Feb. 12 meeting. According to LaBarge, Russell was a linchpin for the Police Department over the past year when the department lost two-thirds of its officers to other agencies in a "mass exodus."
“Things were upside down; things were in transition,” said LaBarge, who was named chief about six months ago. “But there’s one person who remained constant and consistent to the department for a number of years: Jim Russell.”
According to LaBarge, the current law enforcement climate leads officers to frequently switch between different agencies. Russell’s 22-year longevity in North Hampton is remarkable in itself, he said, and it speaks not only of Russell’s commitment to the local Police Department but “his dedication to the town.”
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Russell helped lead department after officer departures
LaBarge said Russell stepped up after the resignation of former police chief Kathryn Mone on March 1, 2023, and the departure of five other officers.
Due to a clause in Mone's separation agreement with North Hampton, neither she nor local officials discussed why she left. However, emails between Mone and Town Administrator Michael Tully show she and the Select Board were at odds over the discipline of an officer in her department.
The officer in question, Asa Johnson, left shortly before Mone to take a position as a deputy with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office.
Johnson, who was a sergeant in North Hampton, chose to leave, lose his rank, and incur a drop in salary rather than remain in North Hampton after the Select Board pushed for his demotion. He came under fire after he took a woman into protective custody because she was drunk in a home that he deemed was “hazardous to her and the public's health.”
Swiftly following Mone’s departure, former officer Tim Scott and former Sgt. James Mascioli were sworn in as patrolmen in Seabrook. Then in May, officer Matthew McCue left for Hampton Police Department, and officer Megan McBride, went to the Portsmouth Police Department.
"The department lost a number of personnel,” LaBarge said.
Russell, however, remained, and LaBarge said he was “a mentor, a guide, a role model" for a number of the officers.
“He’s a background investigator, a field training officer, and an accident investigator,” LaBarge said. “He knows the criminal code inside and out.”
LaBarge said Russell took on responsibility for overseeing the construction of the new public safety building.
“Jim took charge and ensured everything happened, from the windows to the shades to the countertops to the floors and cabinets. If it wasn’t for Jim, we wouldn't have been able to get it done.”
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Select Board members honor Lt. Russell
Select Board members echoed LaBarge’s remarks. Chairman Jonathan Pinette said that over the years he’s gotten to know Russell quite well, not only in his position as a police officer but also at the gym.
“You’re a friend,” Pinette said. “You’re going to be greatly missed.”
Board member Jim Maggiore said he’s enjoyed his interactions with Russell, especially those long hours on election days at the town’s polls when they had a chance to talk of many things.
“I’ve known you as a gentleman and a father,” Maggiore said. “You’re everything we’d want in a police officer.”
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Russell looking forward to next move
Russell said his years working in North Hampton have been great, and he’s especially enjoyed the interactions with his fellow officers and townspeople. However, he added, it’s time to move on, and he’s looking forward to a change of profession after he hangs up his uniform.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Russell said. “I want to thank everyone for allowing me to serve to you.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: North Hampton police lieutenant who stayed after 'mass exodus' retires
