By Dale Vincent
The New Hampshire Union Leader
MANCHESTER, N.H. — For his swearing-in ceremony at the Radisson Hotel on Monday, new city Police Chief Enoch “Nick” Willard wore the uniform of the day instead of his dress uniform.
“I’m a police officer first and a boss second,” said Willard, a member of the Manchester Police Department since 1992.
Willard chose as his assistant chief Carlo Capano, who has been with the Manchester department for the past 19 years. It was his first decision, said Willard, who described Capano as “a trusted friend and confidant.”
Mayor Ted Gatsas swore in Willard and Capano in front of former Manchester Police Chiefs David Mara, John Jaskolka and Peter Favreau, former mayor Raymond Wieczorek, and police officials from other communities, and family and friends.
Former Manchester mayor and now U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-NH, also attended.
It was also a day to swear in five new police officers: Matthew T. Comeau, Adam J. Cortese, Matthew T. Nocella, William J. Regan Jr., and Erik K. Slocum.
Willard noted Slocum is going to wear the badge number Willard did as a patrolman.
“Better do good things with it,” Willard said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Gov. Maggie Hassan praised and thanked Mara for his nearly 30 years of service and welcomed Willard. She also thanked the new officers, saying they will give of themselves to protect the people of Manchester.
Hassan told the families of all officers: “Thank you for sharing your loved ones with us ... (they are) the very foundation of our communities.”
Gatsas said Mara made his choice of a new chief easier by elevating Willard to assistant chief in June 2013. He said Mara’s reorganization of the police department and the emphasis he placed on community policing will pay off in addressing the heroin problem.
Willard, whose daughter, Paige, rushed forward to embrace him after he was sworn in, was emotional as he began his first speech as chief. But before he began the prepared speech, he looked out at the crowd and said: “I’m just so humbled by your presence.” He was also, he said, “so pleased to have my dad here.”
Willard said that since being selected as Mara’s successor: “I have felt your energy.”
He said he will continue Mara’s pattern of being a “supportive, connected chief of police.”
Willard said the five new officers, the first hired in his tenure, are special to him. He expects them, like all officers, to conduct themselves with “honor, integrity and compassion.”
That goes for everyone they come in contact with, he said, including those accused of criminal behavior. Everyone must be treated with dignity, Willard said.
Also announced at the ceremony was the promotion of Greg Walsh as communications supervisor. Willard said he was also instituting a new award, a civilian recognition award.
The first award was presented to Manchester High School West social studies teacher Tina Mulleavey, who Willard said is passionate about helping her students learn. He said her crime scene classes are amazingly accurate and she encourages understanding and support of the police department.
In accepting the award, Mulleavey said: “I encourage my students to believe in you guys.”
Copyright 2015 The New Hampshire Union Leader