HOOKSETT —The person named interim police manager is calling himself “an apolitical guy” who will do what he can to avoid the troubles that have been part of the town's police department for the past year.

“I'm there basically trying to get the department away from the political area,” Thomas Burke said. “The department has been through a lot politically with the townfolks and the previous administration. I'm basically trying to go in there as a stabilizer…I'm there to help those guys out. There's no political agenda on my part.”

Burke replaces Acting Chief Jon Daigle, who asked to return to regular duties as captain in August.

Burke said he will serve as a temporary civilian administrator and officer mentor while the police commission searches for a permanent chief. He will also help implement recommendations from the Public Safety Strategies Group's 2011 department audit.

A 31-year law enforcement veteran, Burke has extensive experience in police training and organizational development. He ran the Manchester Police Department's in-house training academy at the beginning of his career, and later served for 18 years with the Bedford Police Department where he developed and implemented their field training program.

Burke did run into a political entanglement in his previous position as officer in charge for the Lyndeborough Police Department. He resigned in June, protesting the town's board of selectmen's order for him to fire a sergeant he had hired. Burke quit, calling the selectmen's action unjust and politically motivated.

Similar charges of micromanaging and interference have been levied against Hooksett's Police Commission. Employees of the Hooksett Police Department issued a statement to the Town Council in September condemning the Police Commission for “pursuing the personal agendas of a few to the detriment of the department and the detriment of the town.”

Burke does not see a parallel between the Hooksett Police Commission and the issues he faced with Lyndeborough selectmen.

“I don't believe their intent is to interfere with the police department,” he said. “They would like nothing more than to have a leader there in place. I don't believe that their goal is to do anything micromanaging.”

Burke's hiring has received a mixed response from the community.

“I think people were looking for a person to provide open and honest feedback,” said Todd Lizotte, a Hooksett town councilor. “I believe that Mr. Burke is that person, so I'm very optimistic.”

Town Councilor Leslie Boswak, concerned with Burke's history in Lyndeborough, was less optimistic.

“The Police Commission hired someone that abruptly quit in a huff because of micromanaging and a hostile work environment, among other reasons, leaving a very young police department without leadership, which in turn left the town vulnerable,” she said in a written statement. “I cannot understand how anyone would think this is what will best serve the Hooksett Police Department and the citizens of the Town of Hooksett.”

Burke will meet the Hooksett Police Department when he begins his work as police manager Monday.

bclogston@newstote.com