Laconia Police Commission hears two resignations, outlines hiring plans

The Laconia Police Commission on an unspecified May meeting day reported two recent resignations and outlined steps to fill staffing gaps.

Chief Canfield told the commission that Officer Bennett Morrow, who had not yet attended the police academy, resigned after concluding that police work was not for him. Animal control officer Megan Abbott also resigned and has returned to a previous job, the chief said. Chief Canfield said the department has conducted interviews for Abbott’s replacement and has received “over 30 applicants.”

Chief Canfield said the department plans to start two candidates in its in‑house training program on July 7. The in‑house program is a six‑week curriculum the department runs to prepare new hires; the chief said scheduling instructors and arranging curriculum requires substantial work. A third candidate’s start date is delayed because he is attempting to sell a house in Arizona, the chief said.

Lieutenant Hubbard and Captain Grama were identified in the meeting as staff who helped with event planning and operational details tied to recent busy weeks for the department. The commission did not approve personnel actions on the public record at this meeting; the chief described recruitment and training timelines and said final selections for some open positions are in process.

Details clarified at the meeting: the department said it had five open positions earlier in the recruiting cycle, planned to hire two new officers for July 7, and expected the remaining vacancies to fall as additional candidates are onboarded. The meeting record did not specify exact start dates beyond July 7 or provide full names for some candidates.