Rochester Police job fair draws some serious consideration from local prospects

Deputy Chief Jason Thomas, right, chats with Ingrid Laskso and Cole Menger, while Lt. Mike Miehle talks with Emma Scruton and Capt. Todd Pinkham talks with another potential recruit during Saturday's Job Fair at the RPD. (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - Emma Scruton thinks being a police officer "might be a good fit for me."

"I don't like doing the same thing day in and day out, so I think I'd like a job like that," said Scruton, whose brother is currently a police officer in Lee.

Scruton, of Strafford, was one of many who showed up at the Rochester Police Station on Saturday to take advantage of a job fair where they could ask questions about what a career in law enforcement would look like.

Deputy Chief Jason Thomas, Capt. Todd Pinkham and Lt. Michael Miehle were all on hand in the department's upstairs lecture hall from 1-3 p.m. to answer questions about police work and recruit prospects for job openings that are currently in play including Patrol Officers, Administrative and Evidence techs and dispatchers.

Ingrid Laakso of Dover, who is currently in the criminal justice program at Great Bay Community College, said she, too, is exploring all options including possibly as a dispatcher.

Pinkham said this was the department's first-ever job fair, adding that extraordinary times necessitate thinking outside the box when it comes to recruitment.

"This is something we came up with," he said. "We have no expectations, so anyone that comes in, we're happy with it."

Rochester Police for several years even prior to the George Floyd tragedy were having a hard time getting to full staff, but it's gotten worse with the far left anti-police rhetoric emanating out of Washington and Democrat-run states across the nation.

Scruton said the anti-police rhetoric needs to end.

"I'm not a fan of that at all," she said.