McDonald’s Restaurants Donate Money To NH Police Chiefs: Video

CONCORD, NH — Gov. Chris Sununu was in West Concord on Monday to join police chiefs from around New Hampshire in accepting a check for more than $50,000 from McDonald’s Restaurants for training.

The money was raised during statewide fundraisers last year for the NH Association of Chiefs of Police, which the restaurant chain has sponsored. Fifty-four McDonald’s Restaurants in New Hampshire were involved in the fundraisers. During fundraisers in 2016, 2018, and 2020, more than $150,000 had been raised for the association.

As part of the fundraiser, the owner-operators also recognize officers with community policing awards.

Jeremy Hinton, the president and director of operations for The Napoli Group of Amherst, the owner of the Concord Fisherville Road McDonald’s, which was recently renovated, hosted the event and welcomed officials.

Sununu said police chiefs and officers themselves were being pulled in many different directions while working to address societal ills — whether it was dealing with crimes, administering NARCAN, or even being a social worker. He said police chiefs were a source of pride in the state and knew they would put the money to good use. Sununu also acknowledged staffing issue departments were facing and was encouraging his own teenagers to look at law enforcement and other public services as career options.

“God bless you,” he said, at one point, after rattling off a list of things police have to deal with every day. “I don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring but it is going to be something … (your work) it’s awesome; it really is awesome.”

Chief Joseph Hoebeke of the Hollis Police Department said the money was used not only for training for chiefs but department staffers, too.

“It has a direct impact on our communities,” he said. “Public safety can say, there is a reason why New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the nation. It’s because of the men and women, who serve as guardians, all across the state.”

According to Pat Sullivan, a retired police chief who is the executive director of the organization, some of the training programs include resiliency practices, fair and impartial policing — with coordinators from out of state being invited to New Hampshire, leadership skills, command school, and digital evidence training, too.

“It’s a huge benefit,” he said, “not only for the chiefs association but law enforcement.”

Along with Concord police and Merrimack County Sheriff's Department personnel, police from Barnstead, Hollis, Manchester, Merrimack, Portsmouth, and other communities were in attendance.

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