Christopher ConnellyGeneral Election 2022 Winner
Running forHillsborough County Sheriff
in 2022
Running as Republican
Running forHillsborough County Sherrif
in 2020
Running as Republican
Elected in 2020, Sheriff Chris Connelly is serving as Hillsborough County’s 29th Sheriff. He is a graduate of the 81st full time New Hampshire Police Academy and has served in a variety of roles throughout his 35 year law enforcement career. Connelly has served as a deputy sheriff and chief deputy with the Sheriff’s Office; as a patrol officer, detective and sergeant with the Goffstown Police Department; and served as the Dunbarton Police Chief.
Connelly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He currently serves as the Chairman of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, and sits on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion as well as the New Hampshire Court Accreditation Commission.
Sheriff Connelly is completing his first term as Hillsborough County Sheriff.
Current jobHillsborough County Sheriff
Served in a number of law enforcement positions throughout a law enforcement career spanning 35 years.
Current residenceMont Vernon, NH
Time lived in NHBorn and raised in NH.
HometownHave resided in Bedford, Manchester, Goffstown and Mont Vernon.
Connelly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
WebsiteChris Connelly for Sheriff
If elected or re-elected, please describe any innovations, reforms or improvements you seek to introduce to your office.
Having over three decades of NH law enforcement experience and great familiarity with the sheriff’s office provided me with a great foundation to build upon. Some of the overarching goals that I identified were: improve operational efficiencies, increase employee training and professional development opportunities, policy and procedure updates, develop an agency social media presence, increase agency visibility, expand and strengthen law enforcement and public safety partnerships, improve employee morale, advocate for higher employee compensation and explore the implementation of an employee wellness program.
I am blessed to lead an extraordinarily talented and dedicated group of public safety professionals. Together my team and I have tackled and made great progress on many of the goals that I had identified as important ones to address immediately in an effort to improve the level of law enforcement service that the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office provides to the community it serves.
While I am thrilled with the direction of the Sheriff’s Office and all of the positive accomplishments achieved in a short period of time, there is more work to be done. I look forward to continuing to serving the citizens of Hillsborough County and providing fair, compassionate and impartial law enforcement services to the community as your Sheriff.
What are the most important concerns facing you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
When interacting with residents and business owners in Manchester I often hear concerns about violent crime and drug issues in the city. On a daily basis members of the Sheriff’s Office participate in information sharing and partner with MPD Special Enforcement Division to assist with a variety of drug, violent crime and other public safety initiatives. The Sheriff’s Office also participates in MPD Comp Stat gun crime meetings. Deputies provide short duration visibility patrols as well as personnel dedicated to “hot spot” foot patrol details in an effort to assist with addressing violent gun crimes in Manchester. The Office’s focus is on augmenting and not duplicating law enforcement services.
How does your background (excluding time serving in the position you are seeking) qualify you for the position you are seeking?
With over thirty years of varied law enforcement experience I am uniquely suited to serve as the Hillsborough County Sheriff. I have command level experience having served as a Police Chief and Chief Deputy Sheriff. My experience with local and county government operations, management and budgeting provides me with unique insight into the duties and responsibilities of serving as Sheriff. I am a proven law enforcement leader with a reputation for assisting in the development of highly motivated, professional law enforcement officers and public safety personnel. I believe that it is imperative to be a good steward of tax dollars and to always operate in a fiscally responsible manner while striving to provide the highest level of law enforcement services to the citizens of Hillsborough County.
How is county government unique from municipal or state government in New Hampshire? Do you believe it is necessary?
County government in NH is unique in that it provides a broad range of services to all residents of the county. County government is an extremely efficient and cost effective form of government. In addition to the services provided by the Sheriff’s Office the county operates the County Attorney’s Office, Nursing Home, Correctional Facility and the Registry of Deeds. Many people are not aware of how services provided by the county impact their lives on a regular basis. County government is not only necessary but is very cost effective.
How do you feel the current divisive political climate in the United States will impact your role in the office you are seeking over the next two years? Also, how would you navigate that divisiveness in your duties?
Although a divisive political climate and present challenges for those running for office I don’t believe that running for a county office needs to be a divisive pursuit. I prefer to focus on the positive changes that have been instituted within the office and the improved law enforcement service being provided to the residents of Hillsborough County by the Sheriff’s Office.