The Town of Bartlett Selectmen are pleased to announce that Sergeant Christopher Keaton of the Wolfeboro Police Department has been selected to take over as the Chief of Police at the Bartlett Police Department, effective after his swearing in ceremony at the Bartlett Town Hall on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 5:00 PM. He is replacing the current Chief, Janet Hadley Champlin, who is retiring after a long and successful career in law enforcement.
Chief Keaton started his career in law enforcement in January 1988 as a Special Officer (part-time) with the Atkinson Police Department in Atkinson, NH. He worked for the Town of Atkinson for three and a half years. He decided to pursue law enforcement as a career and applied to the Town of Wolfeboro Police Department, in August 1991, and was hired shortly thereafter. He attended the 96th class of the NH Police Academy and graduated in April 1992. He has completed many in-service courses through the NH Police Standards and Training Academy, as well as completing many other police science courses through other schools and venues.
Chief Keaton has held many positions within the Wolfeboro Police Department, ultimately rising to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. His most recent assignment has been overseeing the Services Bureau, where he has been responsible for many different functions involving Community Policing to include: Patrol shift supervisor, School Resource Officer (SRO), SRO Supervisor, Adult Prosecutor, Juvenile offense Investigator and Prosecutor, Keeper of Department records, and Department Liaison Officer to both DCYF and the Child Advocacy Center. Additionally, while at the Wolfeboro PD, Chief Keaton wrote and monitored the COPS Grant and all associated government reports. He brings with him years of experience and specialized training in many investigative areas including domestic violence and child abuse, DARE and school resource officer operations, grant writing, accident reconstruction, background investigations, sex offender investigations and registration, conflict resolution and problem solving. He is also the recipient of the 2015 Paul Harris Fellows Award from the Wolfeboro Rotary for his exceptional service to the community.
According to Chief Champlin, “Chris is a perfect fit for the Town of Bartlett. He is honest and has a high degree of integrity, and is committed to the values of community policing. He is also used to working in a small town and understands the dynamics which make Bartlett and New Hampshire special.”
Chief Keaton is married, and he and his wife Priscilla have two grown sons, Andrew and Adam. During his time off he likes to spend time with family and friends, going boating on Lake Winnipesaukee and playing golf. He is currently living in Tuftonboro, NH and will be relocating to Bartlett in the near future.
