Merrimack Valley

Atkinson hires fifth full-time officer

By Meghan Carey
mcarey@eagletribune.com
Published: September 4, 2008

ATKINSON, N.H. — The late Cpl. John Lapham may never be replaced in the hearts of his fellow officers, but a new hire will take his place as the department's fifth full-time officer.

Christopher Van Hirtum of Hudson is expected to start field training on Sept. 15, according to Lt. William Baldwin. Law enforcement officials from the Hampstead, Plaistow and Salem police departments, Rockingham County Jail and an Atkinson resident were on the committee that interviewed candidates for the opening because there were two internal candidates, Baldwin said.

It's yet to be determined what shift Van Hirtum will work because Baldwin said they plan to restructure the department. The new officer will make $20.16 an hour.

Van Hirtum will replace Lapham, who was diagnosed with acute leukemia in December and died in June.

The Police Department hired another part-time officer earlier this year to fill Lapham's position temporarily in the hope that Lapham would return to good health and to work.

Van Hirtum's arrival may solve Atkinson's staffing problem, but it creates one for Newton, where he's worked since 2005. Newton police Chief Larry Streeter planned to meet with the selectmen Tuesday night about replacing Van Hirtum.

"We have five (full timers)," Streeter said. "This leaves us with four and leaves us short-handed. We'll plug holes with part-time (officers) until we get someone on and up to speed. That process takes several months."

The Newton Police Department has 11 part-time officers who work Fridays and Saturdays. The full-time officers work two midnight and two evening shifts in a six-day rotation, which is part of the reason Streeter said Van Hirtum is leaving.

"His wife is pregnant with their first baby," Streeter said. "In Atkinson, it's closer to home and he's going to work Monday through Friday."

In addition to replacing Van Hirtum, Streeter said he will likely ask voters for a second time for a sixth full-time officer in March.

All the Atkinson Police Department has left to do is send someone to Drug Abuse Resistance Education training. Lapham was the department's DARE officer for Atkinson Academy. Plaistow Officer Patrick Schiavone filled in for him last year.

Atkinson will wait until after the shift restructuring to decide which of its full-time officers will attend the two-week training, Baldwin said. There are two sessions before DARE starts in January.