We publish the biographical information provided by the Manchester Police Department on each person promoted on January 5, 2015 for your review and edification. ~Publis
Capt. James M. Soucy
Capt. Soucy has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 22½ years. Prior to his employment at the MPD, he had been employed with the Maryland State Police as a Trooper – Flight Paramedic.
During his tenure with the department, he has served in the capacities of Patrol Officer, that included assignment in the plainclothes Street Crime Unit. He has also served as an undercover detective in the Special Investigations Unit, and as an investigator within the Detective Unit. Following his promotion to Sergeant in 2001, he had supervisory assignments in the Patrol and Investigative Divisions. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2009, following which he served as a Patrol Shift Commander. Since July 2014, he has served as the Community Policing Division commander, and will continue in that capacity at the rank of Captain. During his career, Capt. Soucy also served as a member of the department’s SWAT team for 15 years and attained the rank of Assistant Commander.
Capt. Soucy has twice been the recipient of the MPD’s Meritorious Service Medal: one in 1998, recognizing his actions which led to the arrest and conviction of a subject who had committed six violent robberies over a 3 day period, and the other in 2001, recognizing his actions during a gun battle between a burglary suspect and police. In 2000, he was awarded the Honorable Service Medal and the Congressional Law Enforcement Award recognizing his performance of duty relative to an incident in which a fellow officer was injured. In 2006, Capt. Soucy was also the recipient of the Chief’s Achievement Medal in recognition of his efforts as a member of the S.W.A.T. Team in the search of the suspect who mortally wounded fellow officer Michael Briggs.
Capt. Soucy has been a nationally registered EMT-Paramedic for over 22 years. He earned an Associate’s degree in Applied Science from NH Technical School and has furthered his education at UNH-Manchester.
In 2014, Capt. Soucy graduated from the 256th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, making him one of only 24 MPD officers in the history of the Department who have had the distinction of attending this intensive course of training since the academy’s inception in 1935.
During his law enforcement career he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Capt. Maureen A. Tessier
Capt. Tessier has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 25 ½ years.
During her tenure, she served 13 years as a Patrol officer and Field Training Officer, including 8 years as a K-9 Officer, before her transfer to the Training Division where she worked as the Recruitment and Selection officer. Following her promotion to Sergeant in 2004, she served as a Patrol supervisor and the Crime Prevention Unit supervisor, with the dual role as the department’s Public Information Officer. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008, and since then has had assignments as Patrol Shift supervisor, the Traffic Unit supervisor, and Community Policing Division supervisor, as well as the Public Information officer. Since July 2014, she has been the assigned commander of the Legal and Professional Standards Division, and as captain, will continue in that assignment.
In 2004, Capt. Tessier served as a cadre at the 133rd Police Recruit Academy at Police Standards and Training, and in 2008, served as a member of the NH Law Enforcement Training Delegation to El Salvador.
Capt. Tessier was awarded the MPD’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2007, recognizing her actions as the supervisor in charge on the night Officer Michael Briggs was shot, actions that included ensuring that Officer Briggs was tended to, participating in the chase of the suspect, and coordinating the K-9 search.
Capt. Tessier earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts, with a minor in Business, from Villanova University in 1988, and in 2007, earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire.
In 2014, Capt. Tessier also graduated from the 256th session of the FBI National Academy and is one of only 24 MPD officers who have attended this intensive training since the academy’s inception in 1935.
During her law enforcement career she has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Lt. Ryan A. Grant
Lt. Grant has been a law enforcement officer for over 21 years and has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 18 years.
During his tenure with the department, Lt. Grant has served as a patrol officer, a Field Training Officer, and as a major crimes investigator within the Detective Unit. Following his promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2009, he was assigned as a Patrol supervisor. Since 2011, he has been assigned as a supervisor within the Investigative Division, and will continue in that status as a lieutenant.
Lt. Grant was awarded the MPD Chief’s Achievement Medal in 2007, in recognition of his contribution to the investigation of the murder of Officer Michael Briggs.
In 2008, Lt. Grant received a commendation for his work as a key member of an investigative team that worked on a challenging 13-month homicide investigation, which ultimately brought about the arrest of the perpetrator. With regard to this same case, Lt. Grant also received the John “Sonny” Carbone Memorial Award from the New England Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.
In 2014, Lt. Grant was also commended for his investigative contribution to a burglary initiative implemented in the fall of 2013, which culminated in the arrest of numerous individuals and the recovery of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property.
Lt. Grant earned an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Hesser College in 1992 and is studying toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. During his career, he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Lt. Sean M. Leighton
Lt. Leighton has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 16½ years.
During his tenure he has served as a patrol officer, a field training officer, and as a detective. Following his promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2008, he was assigned as a Patrol supervisor. Since 2012, he has been assigned as a supervisor within the Investigative Division, and with his promotion to lieutenant, will be assigned as supervisor of the Juvenile Division and the Domestic Violence Unit.
Lt. Leighton was the recipient of the MPD Chief’s Achievement Medal in 2007, recognizing his contribution to the investigation of the murder of Officer Michael Briggs. In 2008, he received a commendation for his work as a key member of an investigative team that worked on a challenging 13-month homicide investigation, which ultimately brought about the arrest of the perpetrator. With regard to this same case, Lt. Leighton also received the John “Sonny” Carbone Memorial Award from the New England Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. In 2014, Lt. Leighton was also commended for his investigative contribution to a burglary initiative implemented in the fall of 2013, which culminated in the arrest of numerous individuals and the recovery of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property.
He earned an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from NH Technical College in 1994, and then a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Massachusetts–Lowell, in 1998. During his career with the department, he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Lt. Brian N. O’Keefe
Lt. O’Keefe has served with the Manchester Police Department for 18½ years.
During his tenure Lt. O’Keefe has served as a patrol officer and as an officer within the Community Policing Division, during which time he was assigned as the Manchester Police Athletic League Coordinator and manager of the League’s facility. Lt. O’Keefe has served as the League’s Executive Director since 2010. Following his promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2009, Lt. O’Keefe was assigned as a Patrol Supervisor. Since 2013, he has been serving as a Community Policing Division supervisor as well as the department’s Public Information Officer. He also served as a Crisis Negotiator on the SWAT team from 2007 to 2012.
Lt. O’Keefe received a commendation in 2004 recognizing his work and countless hours of effort, both on and off duty, to refurbish the Police Athletic League facility and developing programs for the city’s youth. He also received a commendation in 2007 for his contribution to the Officer Michael Briggs homicide investigation. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Pastoral Counseling Services Good Samaritan Award in the Education category, recognizing his work with the Police Athletic League.
Lt. O’Keefe earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts–Lowell, in 1996 and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College, in 2000. During his career at MPD, he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Lt. Stephen R. Reardon
Lt. Reardon has been a law enforcement officer for 18½ years and has served with the Manchester Police Department for 13 years.
During his tenure with MPD, he has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, as a member of the street crime unit, and as the Legal Division’s adult arraignment officer. Since his promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2009, Lt. Reardon has served as a Patrol Supervisor, Evidence Unit supervisor, and since, 2013, has served as a supervisor in the Legal Division, and will continue to fill this position following his promotion to Lieutenant. Lt. Reardon is a past member of the SWAT Team, serving from 2004 to 2011 in the capacities of Entry Team and Sniper Team member, and as the Sniper Unit section leader.
Lt. Reardon was the recipient of the MPD’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2007, recognizing his exemplary performance of duty on the night Officer Michael Briggs was shot, including engaging in a foot pursuit of the fleeing suspect, assisting with the initiation of a K-9 search and providing cover for the K-9 handlers, and later, as a member of the SWAT Team, assisting with the door-to-door search of the suspect.
Lt. Reardon was named the department’s Officer of the Month for September 2009, recognizing his continuous tireless work ethic and dedication of duty as the arraignment officer. In 2013, Lt. Reardon was awarded the Chief’s Achievement Medal in recognition of his outstanding performance of duty with regard to his supervision of moving thousands of pieces of evidence from the PD’s old facility to this new building, and instituted policy changes that would make the Evidence Unit more efficient.
Lt. Reardon earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Bridgewater State College in 1990 and a master’s degree in European History from Clark University in 1993.
Lt. Andrew R. Vincent
Lt. Vincent has been a law enforcement officer for 19 years, and a member of the Manchester Police Department for 17 years.
During his tenure with the department he has served as a patrol officer, a school resource officer, and motor vehicle accident investigator within the Traffic Unit. Following his promotion to Sergeant in 2008, he has served in the assignments of Patrol Supervisor, K-9 Unit Supervisor and, since 2011, as a Traffic Unit supervisor.
Lt. Vincent was the 1999 recipient of the Police Standards and Training Council’s Looking Beyond the License Plate award, recognizing his work in the apprehension of a murder suspect out of Massachusetts.
Lt. Vincent earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from St. Anselm College in 1995. During his career at MPD, he also has earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Sgt. Robert P. Bellenoit
Sgt. Bellenoit has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 12 years.
During his tenure with the department he has served as a patrol officer, a field training officer. Since, 2009, he has served as a detective, assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit within the Investigative Division. Sgt. Bellenoit has also been a member of the SWAT Team since 2008, currently serving on the Sniper Team.
Sgt. Bellenoit received the department’s Life Saving Medal and the Union Leader Hero award in 2004 in recognition of his actions in entering a burning multi-family dwelling and evacuating the residents. In 2007, he was presented the N.H. Police Standards and Training Council “Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket” award for Excellent Police Tactics and Observation Skills for a City/State Team, in recognition of his efforts as part of a joint MPD and State Police special enforcement detail. In 2009, he received the department’s Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his actions as a member of the SWAT Team during two separate drug raids. In each of the raids Sgt. Bellenoit took action to prevent an armed subject from discharging a firearm at fellow SWAT Team members.
Sgt. Bellenoit attained a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Law from Suffolk University in 2002. During his career at MPD, he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Sgt. Richard Brown Jr.
Sergeant Brown has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 11 years.
During his tenure with the department he has served as a patrol officer, a detective within the Juvenile Unit , and a Juvenile court prosecutor. Since 2013, Sgt. Brown has been serving with the Community Policing Division assigned as to the Manchester Housing Authority at the Elmwood Gardens complex.
While serving as the Juvenile court prosecutor, Sgt. Brown streamlined the discipline code utilized by the Manchester School District and revamped the process by which juveniles may be detained or held in a shelter prior to a court hearing.
Sgt. Brown attained an associate’s degree in Applied Science from Bay State College in 2001 and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Granite State College in 2011. In the course of his career at MPD, he also has earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Sgt. Brown is a veteran of the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1994.
Sgt. Eric D. Knight
Sgt. Knight has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 17 ½ years.
During his tenure with the department he has served as a patrol officer, a field training officer, a firearms instructor, a member of the K-9 Unit, a member of the street crime Unit, and an undercover detective within the Special Enforcement Division. While a detective, he served as a team leader on the N.H. Attorney General’s Drug Task Force. He was also a member of the warrant impact squad. Sgt. Knight has also been a member of the SWAT Team since 2003 and currently assigned as an Element Leader on the Entry Team.
Sgt Knight was a recipient of the Manchester Police Department’s Life Saving Medal and a N.H. Congressional Award, in 1998, recognizing his actions with regard to entering a burning multi-family dwelling and evacuating the residents. In 2006, he was awarded the MPD Meritorious Service Medal for assisting with conducting an extensive door-to-door search for the armed suspect in the shooting of fellow Officer Michael Briggs. In 2007, he was presented N.H. Police Standards and Training Council “Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket” awards for Excellent Police Tactics and Observation Skills for a City/State Team and Outstanding State/Municipal Team work, in recognition of his efforts as part of a joint MPD and State Police special enforcement detail. In 2008, the New England Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association presented two awards acknowledging Eric’s work in two intensive, multi-agency investigations. He received the John “Sonny” Carbone Memorial Award for his efforts that led to the arrest of three subjects for their involvement in the 2007 homicide of Aaron Kar. He was also presented the William “Billy” Yout Memorial Award for his efforts leading to the arrest of a high-level heroin dealer in Manchester.
In the course of his career at MPD Sgt. Knight has earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Sgt. Knight is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1994.
Sgt. Peter A. Kucharski
Sgt. Kucharski has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 8 ½ years.
During his tenure with the department he has served as a patrol officer, a detective within the Juvenile Unit, and since 2013, as a detective assigned to the Fraud and Financial Crimes and Arson Units. He has also served on the SWAT Team since 2013.
In 2007, he was presented the N.H. Police Standards and Training Council “Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket” award for Excellent Police Tactics and Observation Skills for a City/State Team, in recognition of his efforts as part of a joint MPD and State Police special enforcement detail. In 2009, Sgt. Kucharski received a letter of commendation from Chief Mara recognizing his diligence in his route patrol, bringing about the arrest of a subject who had caused thousands of dollars in criminal mischief by graffiti. Sgt. Kucharski was also commended in 2014 for his work related to a burglary iInitiative implemented in the fall of 2013, which culminated in the arrest of numerous individuals and the recovery of tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property.
Sgt. Kucharski attained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire in 2002 and a master’s degree from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2010. In the course of his career at MPD, he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
Sgt. Kenneth Loui
Sgt. Loui has been a member of the Manchester Police Department for 11 ½ years.
During his tenure with the department he has served as a patrol officer, a school resource officer, and since 2007, has served as a detective. Sgt. Loui began his investigative role with special assignment to the Attorney General’s Office to assist with the investigation involving the murder of Officer Michael Briggs. Upon completing that assignment, he was assigned to the MPD’s Investigative Division in the Fraud Unit. Since, 2013, he has been assigned to the Burglary Unit and the Crime Scene Team, and has also served as a member of the SWAT Team.
Sgt. Loui has twice been the recipient of the MPD Chief’s Achievement Medal: In 2009, he was recognized for his work on the Officer Briggs’ homicide investigation, and in 2012, he was recognized for his investigative work on a check counterfeiting ring. In 2014, Sgt. Loui received a certificate of recognition for work related to a burglary initiative that was implemented in the fall of 2013, which culminated in the arrest of numerous individuals and the recovery of tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property.
Sgt. Loui earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire in 1996. In the course of his career at MPD, he has also earned a number of specialized training certifications.
