Portsmouth Police Chief To Retire
Portsmouth Police Chief Lance E. Hebert is retiring after 25 years with the department.
Photos
I've been very fortunate to give back to the community I've grown up in.
The chief of police for the Portsmouth Police Department is retiring after more than a quarter of a century with the department.
Chief Lance E. Hebert announced his retirement this week. He will present his official retirement letter to the Portsmouth Town Council on Monday.
Hebert, a Portsmouth native, says "it's time" to take the next steps and perhaps even begin a new career.
"It's that time," Hebert said. "There's a point and time in your career when it's time. Other opportunities have also come forth. I've been very blessed to work as police chief."
Hebert says he's been asked to work for a friend's company, which could become "another career."
Hebert says he is extremely grateful for the opportunities given to him in Portsmouth, where he grew up and went to school. He is also thankful for the colleagues and town officials he's worked with over the years.
"I can't say enough for all the men and women I've worked with," Hebert said.
"I've been very fortunate to give back to the community I've grown up in."
A Portsmouth High School graduate, Hebert joined the department after his military service. He has served with the Portsmouth Police Department for the past 25 years, including six years as police chief.
Looking back, Hebert says he is proud of many initiatives, including increasing training for officers, joining the state accreditation program and working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement road changes for safety.
Those changes including reducing sections of West Main Road near Cory's Lane to two lanes, a project set to begin this spring.
He is also proud of obtaining grants to secure improved training and equipment for the detective division, as well as making adjustments during budget cuts in recent years.
"I also want to thank the citizens for helping us accomplish what we wanted to accomplish as a department," Hebert said.
His retirement will be effective as of Dec. 31.
Al Honnen
7:18 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Thank you Chief for all the time and effort you have provided for the citizens of Portsmouth. You will be missed.
BobG
10:06 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Chief,
Thank you for your years of service to the town. Continued success as you close this chapter of your professional career and move on to new challenges !
Joe Carroll
10:20 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Nice picture.
Rage16
11:08 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Congratulations Chief and good luck as you move on to other things.
Patriot
3:05 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Best of luck in your future endeavors, Lance. Thanks for your years of service to Portsmouth.
Karen Day
3:36 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Congrats Lance and good luck in the future!
me
5:01 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
As someone who has grown up in this town, these comments are UNTRUE and hateful!! Get your facts straight before you go trash talking about people who do good. Lance has given his life to this position and I challenge you to find proof of your slander!! Instead of "my wife said"…..
joe smith
5:10 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
sad
joe smith
5:14 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
It sure sounds like Steveinri or one of his family members must have had a problem with the law. Sour Grapes for sure!!!!
Steveinri
5:20 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
NEVER, just a problem with pretenders
getreal
10:32 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
I feel sorry for you Steveinri....
Good luck Lance, you will be missed!
Steveinri
3:06 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Thanks
Don't feel sorry for me.
Feel sorry for the people of Portsmouth and most small towns across the US that have punks (that were delinquents growing up) end up in a position of authority
SP
8:44 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Hey Steveinri, why don't you leave your real name if you're going to slander someone. You're a coward, that's why! You can leave unfounded comments like that or hearsay from "your wife" but I suspect you wouldn't have what it takes to say those rediculous comments to someone's face. Typical idiot making comments in the Internet!
Steveinri
2:58 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
ME:
Coward? NO
Someone who has obviously poked a sore spot? YES
Maybe a little closer to the truth than you want? YES
Idiot? NO
Factual? YES
Can you spell? NO
Would I say it to your face? YES
Former Ports resident
10:40 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Why should so he can be ticketed by Carroll every time he passes thru? We all know how the game works the players have just changed. Ernie Alves anyone? Make sure you buy your m&ms
Steveinri
3:08 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
I'm smelling what you're stepping in
SP
3:26 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Get a life Steveinri! You must live on this site. Make unfounded comments about our police chief and then sit back and bully those who defend him! Give us your real name so when you drive through OUR town, Portsmouth's finest can look for you when you exceed the speed limit by 1 mph! "My wife" told me...... Give me a break!
Steveinri
2:02 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Typical remark. I only visit this site for entertainment, and you have certainly fulfilled my expectations
What if I never speed?
Wait, I know, the cop will say that I was speeding.
Why do you think I will not put my name on this post?
Why would (or should) ANY American be subjected to the whims of a police force comprised of 50% punks? A great many police officers in this country are legitimate. The ones who are not only drag the rest down with them.
Mike Sousa
6:35 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
I´ve often wondered why Portsmouth and Middletown don´t pool their police and fire departments to save money for the taxpayers. How many more generous pensions can home owners continue to finance?
Jeff Goss
8:03 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Congratulations Lance and best of luck.
What is amazing is how every positive article on the Patch always has at least one idiot who needs to make themself feel good by being negative. Steveinri, I need to correct you. A coward uses a "screen name" when throwing digs at people.
Lance Hebert is one of the most outstanding members of our community and I am proud to call him a friend.
FACT-FINDER
10:04 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Really Steveinri, maybe you should check your facts before you start clicking away, I did! 1st, Chief Hebert was never the dog officer. 2nd, the roller rink fire, Chief Hebert was away serving our country.
It always puzzles ME as to how someone like YOU (a coward) ends up in ANY kind of position!. I guess you can fool SOME of the people SOME of the time but I am not one of those fools.
Steveinri
3:07 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
You have been very entertaining...which is the only reason I visit this site.
It is always a good time for me to goad idiots like you into posting foolish remarks.
My position is just fine, and it does not involve making others miserable in order to earn a living.
I am pretty sure that childish name calling(coward) should have been picked up in the screening process for postings.
Maybe not.
You are definitely not worth degrading myself in order to insult you.
I can assure you that I am not a coward......punk.
SP
1:02 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Well said FACT-FINDER!!!!!!!
Portsmouth for 43 years and counting
11:18 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Congratulations Lance! Best wishes in all that you!
Essie Bradic
1:52 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Congratulations, Lance!
Barbara Puckett
9:32 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
Congratulations Lance! Best of luck to you in future endeavors!
Sardine Sniffer
12:24 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
It'll take awhile to get the smell out.