Chief Willard to serve on DHHS child services oversight committee

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Chief Willard
Chief Willard

MANCHESTER, NH – Police Chief Nick Willard has been appointed by the NH Association of Chiefs of Police to serve as a representative on the Oversight Commission on Children’s Services.

The position was established under provisions of Senate Bill 239, which calls for more oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee the Division for Children, Youth and Families.

“Since I’ve become Manchester’s Police Chief I have made the protection and well being of children a top priority, as such I am honored to served on the Oversight Commission on Children’s Service,” Willard said.

The function of the commission will be to provide independent oversight of the state’s child protection system, and review and investigate any aspect of the department’s child protection policies or practices.

In a letter advising NH House Speaker Shawn Jasper of Willard’s appointment to the commission, Tuftonboro Chief of Police Andrew Shagoury, who serves as president of the NH Chiefs association, wrote that Willard will “be a valuable member of the commission” who will help implement “best practices on behalf of children and families,” based on his experience.

In April Willard was honored by the Child Advocacy Center of NH for his leadership in making the protection of children a priority. He has also been unapologetically critical of lapses in vital state services specific to cases involving Manchester Police investigations, where children were endangered –or lost – due to abuse, including the Sept. 2015 death of Sadence Willott, a toddler who was already involved with state DCYF services at the time of her death.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!