Mark Newport

Welcome to Portsmouth! 

I began my career as a Portsmouth Police Officer in 1995 and was appointed Chief of Police in January 2021. Portsmouth, known as a “mini-Boston” on the New Hampshire coast, is a city I am proud to serve. I bring a wealth of policing experience to the Chief's Office as we continue to ensure public safety for this wonderful community.

I started my career in Patrol and spent nine years in the Investigative Division as a Drug Liaison Detective and General Investigator. Later, I was assigned to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force and then the specialized Drug Enforcement Administration’s High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. In 2008, I was promoted to Sergeant, followed by Patrol Lieutenant in 2009. In 2013, I became Detective Lieutenant, and in 2018, I was promoted to Captain of Operations, followed by Captain of the Administrative Division. This career path has provided me with comprehensive experience across all areas of police operations.

I am honored to have received two U.S. Congressional Awards and two New Hampshire Congressional Awards for Outstanding Performance of Duty. I have also earned commendations from the International Narcotics Association, the New England Narcotic Enforcement Association, and several Portsmouth Police Department recognitions.

I am a graduate of the 2017 PERF Senior Management Institute for Police, the 2019 FBI LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute, and the 2022 FBI National Academy (282nd Session). In 2023, I earned a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.

Policing Portsmouth presents unique challenges. This city's population is about 23,000, but we host over 100 events annually, some attracting up to 100,000 people. The city is home to a large school system, a major university nearby, beach communities, an international airport, and a commercial trade port. Additionally, Portsmouth boasts a vibrant hospitality industry and more than 150 liquor licenses, the highest per capita in the state. Rapid residential and commercial development continues to increase demand for police services.

We are proud to be the first dual-accredited police department in the State of New Hampshire, having achieved advanced accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) since 2019 and accreditation through the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (NHLEAC) since 2026. Our department is comprised of 70 full-time officers, 27 auxiliary (part-time) officers, 25 full-time administrative professionals, and four part-time employees, all working to provide 24/7 public safety services. The department is overseen by three elected police commissioners, providing an additional layer of accountability and access for the public. Our areas of operation include Patrol, Investigations, Personnel & Training, Professional Standards, Dispatch, Social Work and Administration.

In partnership with our police commissioners, and guided by the high standards of accreditation, the Portsmouth Police Department remains committed to engaging in public dialogue and carefully reviewing how we deliver fair and impartial public safety services to all who live, work, and visit here.

I invite you to explore our website and review our Strategic Plan, where you will find goals and initiatives we are working on to provide our community with progressive, forward-thinking policing, grounded in the principles of 21st Century Policing. With a culture of innovation and dedication, our department is committed to achieving these goals in partnership with the community, striving to prevent crime and provide respectful, just, and compassionate service to all. Please enjoy our city—it is our pleasure to serve you.