All posts by Elliott Mascoll, Correspondent

Features

Chief Hobbs reflects on community policing

 

Chief Hobbs from the Northern Essex Community College Public Safety Department values community engagement.

“Building relations within the community to address their needs and help them improve the quality of life is a core value of policing” Chief Hobbs said as he sat across from me, calmly with a comforting smile and demeanor.

The focus has to be and should be on ensuring the community is safe. The future of policing is important especially as society changes.

However, it has also become more difficult locally and nationally to recruit new police officers. The goal has to be to find ways to attract police officers that not only enjoy working in the law enforcement environment, but are committed to building and working within the community. Municipalities, colleges and universities have a huge task of working to protect people’s identification as well as cyber Security. There are many steps and involvement in securing information technology. Protective measures are needed to be put in place and continued to be upgraded

“This also includes working with the partners in our community about awareness and knowing the current trends,” says Hobbs.

“The goal of policing is to continue to work together to address the issues of the community and keep it safe.”

 

News

Public safety at NECC

 

The Northern Essex Community College ( NECC) police Department is committed to serve and protect the campus the students and the community.

Chief David Hobbs dressed in a black police Polo shirt and khakis, warmly interviewed in the NECC Public Safety office in Haverhill. Chief Hobbs has worked in Law Enforcement for over 23 7ears before coming to NECC. He is committed to the community and the campus.

“Policing is the fabric of our Society, which benefits from safety and order in our Communities,” he said.
Currently the NECC Police Department has a few sworn officers, one in the Police Academy and looking to hire more. The NECC Police Department in conjunction with the security officers, also on campus, work together for “ the goal to keep the campus safe and to be part of the community is a team effort.

While anyone can try and become a police officer, obtaining an education in Criminal Justice, Law enforcement or any others subject is important. “ An education along with the Police Academy training will help candidates be better equipped for critical thinking, problem solving and a better officer overall,” said Hobbs. “Plus there are now more training and state requirements that aid in better policing.”

“Policing is a rewarding job and a great way to help people and have a positive impact on someone’s life,” he said. “Policing allows for community engagement and helps to shape and protect society.”

Hobbs was an integral part of the Hampton, N.H., Police for many years and earned many different positions from Patrol Officer to Resource Officer, to being part of the SeaCoast Emergency Response Team to finally Chief of Police, before joining NECC.

Policing in general has the same challenge across the country as less people are interested in the field “ In 1999, when I initially applied there was well over 200 people that also applied to be a Police officer. Today people seem more passionate about other subjects and jobs. The Pandemic also seems to have swayed people to have different ideas about work and about working.

Hopefully by working in the community and with the campus it will encourage others to invest and have interest in an important role that continues to shape and aid in the fabric of our society and community.”

Northern Essex Community College Police Chief David Hobbs is committed to provide a safe and rewarding campus to the faculty, students and community.

Chief Hobbs wants to get to know people and have an impact on people’s lives.

Chief Hobbs want to help people improve their situations in life. Chief Hobbs wants to continue to build safe, encouraging, friendly communities at Norther Essex Community College as he has done for 23 years.