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GreaterUpperValley.com

Norwich Sgt. Jennifer Frank will take over as police chief on April 13

Mar 18, 2019 03:24PM ● By Kevin
Norwich Sgt. Jennifer Frank will take over as police chief on April 13, succeeding Chief Doug Robinson, who will retire. Frank is a 14-year law enforcement veteran.

The announcement was made in early January at a Selectboard meeting by town manager Herb Durfee. The early announcement has given Frank time to receive mentorship from her predecessor.

Frank, 43, has served Norwich for about a year, having taught social studies in a prior role. As a member of the Norwich community and a zeal for education, Frank has been known to be engaged with community activities, such as kickball with elementary school students, coffee with a cop, the Norwich Cadet Program, and more, according to a press release issued by Durfee.

“Robinson recruited Frank to Norwich as a sergeant last year after the town had trouble hiring an entry-level officer,” a Jan. 10 Valley News article explained.

Frank studied political science as an undergraduate, going on to Plymouth State University to earn Master’s and doctorate degrees in education.

“She taught in both the Mascoma Valley Regional School District and in the Newfound Area School District in Bristol, N.H.,” the article says. “It was when one of her students brought a loaded handgun into her classroom in Mascoma that she really started thinking about a change in career, she said.”

She served 10 years with the Plymouth State Police as an investigator, then three years with the Windsor Police Department prior to taking her role with Norwich.

Frank is a Canaan resident along with her husband, Canaan Police Chief Sam Frank.


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