Joe Plaia, Rochester's New Prosecutor, Braves Cold for a Ride-along

(Above - Joe Plaia consults with state officials in Concord)

(ROCHESTER, NH - February 23rd, 2015) Seacoast attorney and public safety advocate Joe Plaia will entered the courtroom in his new role as Rochester’s City Prosecutor Monday after a first-hand look at what the police he will be working with face every day. Braving the cold, former Marine police officer Plaia joined Rochester police officers for ride-along from eight to midnight Friday. Referring to his time as a Marine Corps MP, Plaia commented that he can now say, weatherwise at least, that he’s seen it all on patrol.

“I don’t know what’s tougher, standing a gate in 125 degrees in Yuma, AZ or being on a traffic stop in Rochester, NH with a minus ten wind chill,” Plaia said with a laugh.

But Plaia’s decision to see first hand what Rochester Police see on the streets before walking into a courtroom was taken with a serious goal in mind.

“Since I was an MP, my goal was to someday be a prosecutor and this ride-along reminded me that to be an effective in that role you need to see how cases develop through the eyes of the people investigating crimes and making arrests,” Plaia said. “From traffic stops and drug interdictions to dealing with a mentally-ill citizen, the Rochester Police handled each situation with complete professionalism and I’m proud to be working with them as their new City Prosecutor.”

Plaia, who also serves as chief hearing officer for the New Hampshire liquor commission, has said that he plans on making a practice of joining front-line officers during his tenure as Rochester’s City Prosecutor. A drive-along with Portsmouth police last year has informed his work adjudicating cases before the liquor commission, Plaia said.

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