Ex-Portsmouth police officer gets suspended sentence in embezzlement case

Dean Outhouse (Portsmouth Police Facebook page)

BRENTWOOD - A former Portsmouth Police Officer pleaded guilty today to one count of Theft by Unauthorized Taking, a class B felony, in the Rockingham Superior Court.

Dean Outhouse embezzled $17,340.02 from the Portsmouth Police Patrolman's Union from July 29, 2019, through June 21, 2022. During this time he served as treasurer of the Portsmouth Police Patrolman's Union prior to his retirement from the Portsmouth Police Department in June of 2022.

Theft by Unauthorized Taking is committed when a person, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, obtains or exercises unauthorized control over the property of another with a purpose to deprive them thereof. Theft by Unauthorized Taking is a class B felony when the value of the property exceeds $1,000.00.

Outhouse was sentenced to 12 months in the house of corrections, suspended for one year with conditions that he will be of good behavior, that he surrender any and all law enforcement certifications and not seek future employment as a law enforcement officer, that he agree to be placed on a national registry of decertified officers, and that he not contest his placement on the Exculpatory Evidence Schedule.

Outhouse has already made full restitution to the Portsmouth Police Patrolman's Union, which was part of today's plea and sentencing hearing.