Press Releases

The Portsmouth Police Department will be joining the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other seacoast communities on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, this Saturday, April 30th, 2022 at the Portsmouth Police Department 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event is being offered to the community to provide an opportunity to turn in prescription drugs which may be in your household and are no longer needed. The department will take pills, patches and liquid medicine. No needles or sharp items will be accepted. The service is free of charge and anonymous.

Due to a tree falling across the roadway, bringing power lines down in the area of 2222 Lafayette Road, the road has been closed and will be closed for an unknown period of time. Traffic travelling in-bound on Lafayette Road is being detoured down Constitution Avenue to Banfield Road. Traffic travelling out-bound on Lafayette Road is being detoured down West Road to Peverly Hill Road to Banfield Road. The traffic lights at Lafayette Road and Peverly Hill Road are currently out as are the traffic lights at Lafayette Road and Mirona Road.

On April 8, 2022, at approximately 11:30PM, Portsmouth Police officers were dispatched to the Press Room, located at 77 Daniel Street, for a report of an assault. Information was provided that a female patron had reportedly been struck in the face with a glass by a male subject. Upon police arrival, it was learned that the male subject had fled the scene. Efforts to initially locate the male subject were unsuccessful.

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, the Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to promote Patrol Sergeant Seth Tondreault and Detective Sergeant Eric Benson to the rank of Lieutenant. Seth will remain in the Patrol Division while Eric will transition over to the Administrative Division as the department’s Personnel & Training Lieutenant.

On March 19, 2022 the Portsmouth Police Department received a report of a sexual assault where the victim is under the age of 18.  During the course of the investigation the suspect was identified as:

James McKenzie

55 year-old

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the Board of Police Commissioners promoted Lieutenant Chris Cummings to the rank of Captain. His effective date and division of assignment are TBD.

On Tuesday, October 26th, 2021, the Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to promote Officer Charley Raizes and Officer Matt Fredrickson to the Special Detail position of Detective assigned to the Investigative Division. Their appointment became effective immediately. 

The Portsmouth Police Department will be joining the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other seacoast communities on the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, this Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 at the Portsmouth Police Department from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event is being offered to the community to provide an opportunity to turn in prescription drugs which may be in your household and are no longer needed. The department will take pills, patches and liquid medicine. No needles or sharp items will be accepted.

On October 18, 2021 at 12:23pm, the Portsmouth Police Department responded to the Citizens Bank on Pleasant St. in Portsmouth for a report of a possible fraud. Employees of Citizens Bank believed an illegitimate check was presented to them and contacted police. Investigating officers determined that a male attempted to cash a fraudulent check using a fake Massachusetts driver’s license. The male was taken into custody on-scene and brought to the Portsmouth Police Department for processing. The male was identified as:

On 09/19/2021, the Portsmouth Police Department responded to 565 Islington St, Sunoco Gas Station, for a report of a robbery.  At approximately 2:40 pm, a male entered the store and walked behind the counter demanding money. The male immediately began to assault the clerk before leaving the store. The clerk sustained minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital.