The Board of Police Commissioners serves as the head of the Police Department. A three-member police commission oversees the police department, created in 1987 by the vote of the Newington, New Hampshire town meeting. This board sets overall policy while the Chief of Police manages the day-to-day operations of the department and implements the board’s policies or policy direction and goals. Due in large part to their hard work and dedication, the department has a very low rate of turnover among the full time officers.

Commissioner Hoyt has served two separate terms with the Newington Police Commission. He was first elected to the Commission in 1991 where he served for a three year term, leaving in 1994. Commissioner Hoyt then returned to the Commission in 2002 and we appreciate his willingness to serve once again on the Commission. Commissioner Hoyt and his wife Meredith are long-time residents of the Town of Newington and he is employed full-time at the Newington Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Police Commissioner Brenda Blonigen

Commissioner Blonigen began her law enforcement career in 1980 with the US Air Force. In 1987 Commissioner Blonigen started her civilian law enforcement career as a part-time officer with the Newington Police Department. In 1989 Commissioner Blonigen was hired full time with the Dover NH Police Department where she served until 1995. In 1995 she went to the North Hampton Police Department as a Detective Sergeant and served there until 1997, when she was hired as a Deputy Sheriff with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Blonigen was the first female deputy for that department and was promoted to Sergeant in 1999 and served there until she retired in 2009. Commissioner Blonigen served with the Air National Guard with a combined service of 34 years where she reached the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, retiring in 2014.

Police Commissioner William Wright
Commissioner William “Bill” Wright is currently supporting the town Police Commission on a 3-year term. Wright is a retired U.S. Army officer (2001) and also pursued a civilian career in finance and business management.  Wright also currently volunteers his time on several other town committees. His focus on the Police Commission is 1. Recruitment and retention of quality police officers; 2. Efficient budget management; 3. Force Modernization in line with department needs; and 4. Ensuring the Newington Police Department (NPD) is responsive to the needs of Newington’s businesses and residents.  Bill and his wife Norma reside at Lydia Lane and value the opportunity to support the NPD’s important role in our community.