Manchester police chief nominated to be U.S. Marshal of New Hampshire
In a move that has been anticipated for months, Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard is being tapped by President Donald Trump to be the next U.S. Marshal for the district of New Hampshire.
Willard has served in law enforcement for 28 years, and now he will cap off his career capturing fugitives.
“I’m humbled and I’m honored that President Trump would nominate me for such an important position as U.S. Marshal for the district of New Hampshire. The fact that he would have faith in me to assume such a position is very humbling,” Willard said.
An outspoken advocate for his officers, community outreach and child protection, Willard will now lead a key federal law enforcement agency based out of the federal courthouse in Concord.
“The U.S. marshals here in New Hampshire have a really robust presence in local law enforcement, so I know the office. I know the deputy marshals. They're great people,” he said.
The chief will stay on at the Manchester Police Department until his confirmation, which is expected in the next few months.
He said he'll miss his fellow officers and the daily work of protecting the Queen City.
“It's going to be difficult for me to leave something that I've known so well, something that I've come to love so much, but everything has an end. So, when the president of the United States calls for you to serve, it's important for you to serve,” Willard said.
When Willard steps down as chief, he said he'll also have to scale back his social media presence, where he's never been shy about saying what he thinks.
“Sometimes, I get myself in a little hot water, obviously, but I won't have the ability to have that latitude. It's more structured, and I'm fine with that. It's all about serving the greater good, and I'm going to be able to do that in a different capacity,” Willard said.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Sen. Maggie Hassan both back Willard's nomination.
In a joint statement, they said he's done an outstanding job in Manchester and believe he is uniquely qualified for this new position.