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Law Enforcement Role and Authority
Guidelines for the role of the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office and the limits of its authority
have been established to assist members in reaching the highest level of effectiveness and by
providing the public with a general standard by which they can measure the performance of the
Sheriff’s Office. Such policies demonstrate that the Office of the Sheriff intends to be responsive
to and protect the constitutional rights of the community. All sworn personnel are required to
take an oath of office to uphold the laws and the constitution of the United States and the State
of New Hampshire, the oath is administered by the High Sheriff.
Merrimack County Sheriff’s deputies abide by the following Law Enforcement Officer’s Code
of Ethics:
“As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives
and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence and disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to
liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of
danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the
laws of the land and the regulations of my Office. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature
or that is confided in me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is
necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to
influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courageously and appropriately without fear or favor malice, or ill will, never
employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve those objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession - law enforcement.”
The Office of the Sheriff receives its legally mandated authority from the New Hampshire Constitution, Part 2, Article 71 and from the New Hampshire Revised Statutes, Annotated, (RSA) 104:6. In turn the Sheriff is authorized to appoint Deputies to act under him in carrying out those prescribed duties mandated through the laws of the United States as well as all laws and ordinances of the State of New Hampshire, within limits established by Constitutional authority.
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