Police Officer Candidate Disqualifiers

What disqualifies a candidate from becoming a police officer with the Portsmouth Police Department?

With directive from the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, a candidate will NOT be eligible if they have:

• Any willful misrepresentations, omissions, or falsifications during the application, hiring, or background process.
• Used marijuana within 12 months;
• Illegally used a controlled substance, other than marijuana, within 36 months; unless the applicant was under 21 years of age at the time of use, in which case 24 months shall apply;
• Manufactured, transported for sale, or sold a controlled substance for profit;
• Used a controlled substance while employed in a law enforcement capacity;
• Has ever been dishonorably discharged from the military service;
• Has been discharged from the military service under other than honorable conditions, where the circumstances demonstrate a lack of good moral character;
• Been convicted of a felony; and/or

• Been convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, unlawful sexual conduct, physical violence, controlled substances, moral turpitude, or any offense which would cause a reasonable person to doubt the applicant’s character, honesty, or ability.

  For more specific information, visit part 301 of the following website: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/pol.html