LACONIA, N.H. — Detective Stephen Orton, a 26-year member of the Laconia Police Department, submitted his resignation, Chief Steve Canfield told the Laconia Police Commission on Aug. 20, and the department is planning temporary coverage and future backfilling of the position.

"I did receive a resignation letter from Detective Stephen Orton. He's a 26 year, Laconia police officer," Canfield said during his report. Canfield said Orton had worked on the department's prevention-enforcement-treatment program for about three years alongside Detective Eric Adams, who "is currently teaching at Statewide through the attorney general's office." Canfield said the department will "supplement his primary duties with Eric Adams covering those primary duties, and then we look to backfill that in the future." The chief did not provide a timeline for hiring a permanent replacement.

The chief also updated the commission on overall staffing: "We currently have 3 openings," he said. Canfield described one applicant, a certified officer from Arizona, who withdrew after failing to sell his house and decided to remain in Arizona. He said two other candidates are in the background process and, if cleared, will be presented to the commission for hire at a later meeting.

The commission asked for clarification about hiring phases and the chief described the department's field-training and academy schedule for new officers. Two recent hires completed an in-house six-week police academy and will remain in the field-training program until attending the New Hampshire Police Academy in January for a 16-week session.

Discussion vs. decision: The commission received the staffing report; no formal motion or vote about personnel actions was recorded during the public portion of the meeting.

What’s next: Canfield said the department will return to the commission with candidates that clear background checks for formal appointment.