How to become a police officer in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Full-time Police Officer Certification (PSTC). At the Manchester Police Department, new hires start at $69,430 a year, rising to $98,987 after about 12 years.
Pay at the Manchester Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Manchester Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $69,430 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $98,987 |
| Years to top | 12 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
City of Manchester FY2027 salary schedule, Police Officer grade 117, Step 1 to Step 13.
Source:[manchesternh.gov]
Pay for this work across New Hampshire
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in New Hampshire, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,460 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $57,930 |
| Median pay | $71,640 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $89,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: High school graduate; or a New Hampshire (or other state's) high school equivalency certificate; or a transcript verifying equivalent completion (Pol 301.01)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Fingerprinted, with criminal history and motor vehicle record checks in NH and wherever the applicant has lived (Pol 301.02)
- No felony conviction under federal or any state's law unless pardoned
- Physical examination by a New Hampshire licensed physician after a conditional offer (Pol 301.04)
- Background investigation with the Council's Personal History Statement (Pol 301.05)
- Psychological screening test battery under a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist before hire, where required (Pol 301.07)
- Moral character standards include time limits on prior illegal drug use (e.g. no illegal controlled substance other than marijuana within 36 months, 24 months if used under age 21)
- No minimum age is stated in the Pol 300 rules
Source:[gc.nh.gov]
Hiring process
- Agency application and Personal History Statement
- Fingerprinting and criminal/motor vehicle record checks
- Background investigation
- Conditional offer of employment
- Physical examination
- Psychological screening
- Hiring authority notifies the Council (Form A) within 15 days of appointment
- Pre-service firearms, restraint and emergency-vehicle familiarization
- Full-time police academy and PSTC certification
Source:[gc.nh.gov]
Required training
684 hours minimum, 16 weeks.[governor.nh.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) - Group II (police and fire), Tier C
- Benefit formula: Average Final Compensation x 2% x years of Creditable Service; AFC is the average of the three or five highest-paid years depending on vested status as of January 1, 2012
- When you can retire: Group II members hired on or after July 1, 2011: age 52.5 with 25 years of Group II Creditable Service, or age 60 regardless of service
Statewide plan for New Hampshire police. Early retirement provisions may apply.
Source:[nhrs.org]