Morrow named as new chief

Captain Kevin Morrow has been named the town's new police chief. He will step into the position in mid-December, when Chief John Curran retires from the 13-member department.

In addition, Sergeant Keith True will be promoted to Lieutenant and Officer Michael Harper to Sergeant.

A Meredith resident, Morrow has been with the police department for 18 years, starting here in 1987 as patrolman and working up the ranks to sergeant in 1997, lieutenant in 2003 and finally to captain in 2003. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College.

Curran served in the department for 26 years before officially announcing that he would retire from the post earlier this month.

Town Manager Carol Granfield said on Monday that she considered recruiting for the position from outside the department, but ultimately decided that it was not necessary.

"I determined, after evaluating and working with Captain Morrow for a time here, and looking at his background, that we had all that we needed right here," she said.

Granfield explained that when the chief had to leave earlier this year for health reasons, Morrow showed that he could lead the force. "He took on a lot of responsibility in the chief's absence," she said. "He had to make some command decisions."

According to Granfield, the Board of Selectmen supported her choice; and so did Curran and other community leaders, as well as citizens that she communicated with.

An official ceremony to appoint Morrow as the new chief will be scheduled for December.