Serving Dover: A Farewell to Police Chief Bill Breault

In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with retiring Chief of Police William Breault, who is concluding nearly 27 years with the Dover Police Department. Breault reflects on his law enforcement journey, which began in Massachusetts before he moved to New Hampshire in 1998 after responding to a regional hiring advertisement. He discusses his career progression from patrol officer through various roles including detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before becoming chief in 2018.

Breault emphasizes his philosophy of mastering each position rather than constantly seeking promotion, crediting this approach with his career longevity and success. He highlights his pride in Dover's innovative social work program, which addresses non-criminal issues and connects community members with support services rather than defaulting to law enforcement responses. This approach, he explains, frees up officers for other duties while improving overall community quality of life through three dedicated social workers.

The conversation touches on Breault's role in overseeing construction of the new police station and parking garage, describing the challenges of managing architects and construction teams while addressing community concerns about downtown disruption. Breault concludes by expressing gratitude for Dover's collaborative culture and announces his upcoming move to become police chief in South Burlington, Vermont.

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about the Cocheco Printworks' brief reprieve in September 1911, when workers received encouraging news about the facility's future, though the printworks would ultimately close in 1913, ending Dover's textile manufacturing legacy and making way for what is now Henry Law Park.