Independent New Hampshire Journalism · Northfield, NH Health Privacy · Accountability When Concord Hospital Can Share Your Medical Records Without Asking You Federal law opens twelve doors into your chart without your signature, hands police…
New Hampshire requires 1,500 hours to license a cosmetologist while only about 740 hours are needed to certify a police officer. This disparity raises concerns about the hiring standards for police, which currently prioritize a clean record over relevant experience and education. Proposed changes seek to rectify these issues.
New Hampshire has rejected two legislative efforts to limit the public release of police mugshots prior to a conviction, arguing that such photos constitute punishment without due process. Advocates claim mugshots can harm individuals and propose new legislation to prevent pre-conviction releases, aligning with measures taken in other states.
The article critiques the Stanford Prison Experiment, revealing that guards were coached rather than their cruelty being an inherent trait. This insight shifts accountability from individuals to institutional practices, suggesting that teaching and oversight can mitigate abusive behavior. New Hampshire’s recent legal moves have weakened public oversight, raising concerns about police accountability.
The article discusses how New Hampshire’s police system often overlooks male domestic violence survivors, particularly when their abusive partners die. It highlights the challenges faced by widowed husbands, including being treated as suspects in death investigations and lacking the support typically offered to female victims. The piece calls for urgent systemic reforms.
New Hampshire’s police body camera law, enacted in 2016, does not mandate camera use, allowing departments to decide. A bill to open footage to the public, HB 1587, was shelved without debate. Currently, most recordings are exempt from disclosure and must be deleted after 180 days, limiting accountability and transparency.
The article explores the impact of false police reports, emphasizing how individual narratives, unchallenged and often misleading, shape perceptions in the justice system. New Hampshire’s Exculpatory Evidence Schedule reveals officers with questionable credibility, highlighting systemic issues in accountability. The piece calls for critical evaluation of police reports and greater transparency.
In July 2026, New Hampshire’s Attorney General cleared police officers in two shootings, asserting legal justification in both cases. While one officer involved remains unnamed due to ongoing litigation, concerns about the transparency of police accountability surfaced. The public’s access to investigative details often lags behind official findings.
In New Hampshire, police may legally deceive suspects during interrogations, while citizens can face severe penalties for lying to law enforcement. This creates a legal imbalance where officers can utilize deception as a tactic, whereas a citizen’s attempt to mislead can lead to criminal charges. This issue highlights significant concerns regarding justice and accountability.
Megan Robinson’s death in October 2021 was deemed “not suspicious” by New Hampshire State Police even before toxicology results were available. Found in the basement of a registered sex offender, Richard Glover, her case raised doubts about police procedures and the validity of the state’s sex offender registry, prompting ongoing demands for transparency.
The article discusses the endorsement of Donald Trump by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) despite his felony conviction and subsequent pardons for individuals who assaulted police officers during the January 6 Capitol riots. It highlights the disconnect between police union loyalty and the consequences of political decisions affecting law enforcement.
The New Hampshire State Police use a polygraph test in their recruitment process, despite its unreliability in detecting truth. Scientific reviews show it measures physiological responses unrelated to honesty, resulting in a hiring system that may favor composure over integrity, consequently disqualifying honest candidates for minor past offenses.
