Sean Leighton
Auburn,NH
Summary
Senior management professional with over 30 years of leadership in New Hampshire law enforcement, excelling in administration, personnel management, and strategic planning. Demonstrated success in building community relationships and collaborating with business owners, residents, and government agencies to resolve complex issues. Highly skilled in communication and analytical problem-solving, with a history of executing initiatives that drive positive outcomes. Holds an active FBI Secret Clearance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Online Professor of Criminal Justice
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH
01.2023 - Current
- Create and maintain a positive, engaging online learning environment to support student success in Criminal Justice courses
- Leverage extensive criminal justice experience to design and facilitate scenario-based learning, enhancing students' practical understanding of course content
- Mentor students with a professional interest in criminal justice, providing career insights and guidance
- Deliver detailed, constructive feedback on assignments, clarify complex concepts, and support students in effectively using course resources to achieve academic goals
Captain- Investigative Division Commander
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
01.2018 - Current
- Filled an administrative unit position for 15 months to support departmental needs; served as Investigative Division Commander from August 2018 to January 2023 and resumed the role in May 2024
- Led the Investigative Division, supervising a team of 50+ Major Crime Detectives, School Resource Officers, Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation (CHASE) Investigators, Domestic Violence Investigators, and Civilian Support Staff
- Directed and oversaw more than 50 homicide investigations, ensuring comprehensive case management and evidence integrity
- Managed the Evidence Division, overseeing the intake and organization of hundreds of thousands of property items, with over 2,000 new items processed each month
- Acted as the primary liaison between the School Department and Police Department, coordinating on matters involving student safety and School Resource Officer initiatives
- Led an internationally recognized Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team (ACERT) model, addressing trauma-informed response protocols for at-risk youth
- Directed and managed applications, funding allocations, and compliance reporting for federal grants totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Founding team member of the Hillsborough County North Superior Drug Court; collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to establish program policies, procedures, and operational standards
Captain- Administrative Division
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed the Communications Division, overseeing operations for a team of 25+ civilian employees to ensure efficient and reliable departmental communication
- Managed facility maintenance and daily operations, ensuring a safe and functional environment for department personnel
- Coordinated and managed a fleet of 60+ vehicles, optimizing resource allocation and readiness
- Oversaw grant application processes, budget allocations, and compliance reporting for federal grants totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Led the information systems team, responsible for records management, internal communications, and implementing technology-based law enforcement tools to enhance operational effectiveness
Acting Assistant Chief of Police
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
04.2023 - 07.2023
- Assumed full responsibilities of the Assistant Chief during an extended absence, ensuring seamless leadership and operational continuity
- Directed and managed the department’s budgetary processes, ensuring fiscal responsibility and efficient resource allocation
- Provided comprehensive administrative oversight across all police department operations, supporting strategic goals and upholding department standards
Captain- Uniform Patrol Division Commander
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
05.2017 - 08.2018
- Led the Uniform Patrol Division, overseeing a team of 120+ police officers, investigators, and civilian support staff to ensure effective and cohesive operations
- Directed the submission of federal and state grant applications, managing the allocation and disbursement of awarded funds to maximize resource impact
- Ensured division-wide compliance with accreditation standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), consistently upholding high-performance benchmarks
- Managed and reviewed internal investigations, recommending disciplinary actions aligned with departmental policies and union collective bargaining agreements
Lieutenant- Special Enforcement Division Assistant Commander
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
07.2015 - 05.2017
- Directed divisional operations, including covert undercover drug and vice investigations, surveillance, and street crime initiatives to disrupt criminal activity
- Secured and managed grants aimed at addressing opioid misuse, overseeing fund allocation and tracking enforcement metrics to measure impact and outcomes
- Coordinated multi-jurisdictional investigations, collaborating closely with federal and state law enforcement agencies to address complex criminal cases
- Supervised federal and state asset forfeiture processes, ensuring accurate submissions and compliance with regulatory requirements
Lieutenant- Juvenile/Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit Head
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
01.2015 - 07.2015
- Founded and led the development of the pioneering Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team (ACERT) program, collaborating with local social services and non-profit organizations to implement a model that has since set a standard for child advocacy in law enforcement across other jurisdictions
- Supervised complex criminal investigations involving juvenile homicides, child abuse, domestic violence homicides and assaults, human trafficking, and adult sexual assault cases, ensuring thorough and trauma-informed case handling
- Managed a team of 30+ specialized personnel, including Sexual Assault Investigators, Domestic Violence Detectives, School Resource Officers, and civilian support staff, fostering a cohesive and effective response to sensitive cases
Detective Sergeant- Detective Division
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
02.2012 - 01.2015
- Served as a guest lecturer at various university and college criminal justice programs, sharing expertise in investigative techniques and major crime cases
- Led and directed high-profile investigations, including homicides, sexual assaults, burglaries, robberies, and thefts, ensuring rigorous case management and attention to detail
- Assigned cases and reviewed investigative reports, providing guidance and approval to ensure thorough, accurate documentation by Detectives
- Coordinated case preparations for Superior Court Grand Jury presentations, ensuring clear and compelling evidence submission
- Conducted internal investigations into allegations of misconduct, upholding department integrity and professional standards
Police Officer/Detective- Patrol Division/Detective Division
City of Manchester Police Department
Manchester, NH
04.1998 - 08.2008
- Served as a Field Training Officer, mentoring and training new recruits to ensure high standards of law enforcement practice and community engagement
- Acted as a Mountain Bike Patrol Officer, enhancing visibility and community relations through active patrol in urban and residential areas
- Led and conducted hundreds of major criminal investigations, including homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, burglaries, assaults, and thefts, with a focus on thorough case preparation and resolution
Education
Master of Business Administration -
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH01.2022
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration
University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Lowell, MA01.1998
Associates Degree - Criminal Justice
New Hampshire Technical Institute
Concord, NH01.1994
Skills
- Analytical Problem-Solving
- Risk Analysis
- Crisis Management
- Collaborative Team Development
- Strategic leadership
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Investigative skills
- Interagency collaboration
- Effective Policy Execution
- Strategic Operational Planning
Volunteerandcommunityinvolvement
- Families in Transition, Board of Directors, 01/01/19, Present
- NH Fisher Cats Foundation First Responder Fund, Advisor, 01/01/22, Present
- Goffstown High School Varsity Hockey, Assistant Coach, 01/01/22, Present
- NH Avalanche Hockey, Youth Hockey Coach, 01/01/06, 01/01/22
Timeline
Acting Assistant Chief of Police
City of Manchester Police Department
04.2023 - 07.2023
Adjunct Online Professor of Criminal Justice
Southern New Hampshire University
01.2023 - Current
Captain- Administrative Division
City of Manchester Police Department
01.2023 - 05.2024
Captain- Investigative Division Commander
City of Manchester Police Department
01.2018 - Current
Captain- Uniform Patrol Division Commander
City of Manchester Police Department
05.2017 - 08.2018
Lieutenant- Special Enforcement Division Assistant Commander
City of Manchester Police Department
07.2015 - 05.2017
Lieutenant- Juvenile/Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit Head
City of Manchester Police Department
01.2015 - 07.2015
Detective Sergeant- Detective Division
City of Manchester Police Department
02.2012 - 01.2015
Police Officer/Detective- Patrol Division/Detective Division
City of Manchester Police Department
04.1998 - 08.2008
Master of Business Administration -
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration
University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Associates Degree - Criminal Justice
New Hampshire Technical Institute
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