James P. Sartell was named Chief of the Townsend Police Department on April 2, 2020.  He has been employed in the criminal justice system for more than 25 years having started his career as a Corrections Officer in the New Hampshire State Prison system developing parole plans and integration strategies for state prison inmates.  He was sworn in as a police officer in 1995 and has served at virtually every rank retiring from the Hollis Police Department after 20+ years, the last 7 as Chief of Police.

Chief Sartell has expertise in leadership within law enforcement organizations, prosecution, policy and procedure development, community policing and engagement, and emergency planning.  He was appointed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Community Policing Committee in 2015 and continues to serve in that capacity. Chief Sartell is a member of the IACP Policy Center, serves as an adjunct instructor at several local colleges and coaches youth sports.  He is a graduate of the 110th New Hampshire Police Academy, holds an MS in Criminal Justice from Boston University, and has completed command leadership and executive training through Roger Williams Justice Studies and FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership programs.

Chief Sartell can be reached at (978) 597-6214 ext. 1508 or if you wish to send him a message you can do so by submitting the following form: