For the second time in recent years, a woman is expected to lead the Bow Police Department.
A committee formed to help oversee the interviewing process recommended Bow’s Sgt. Margaret Lougee to be the department’s next chief. If approved, Lougee would replace Lt. Scott Hayes, who was named interim chief after former chief Erin Commerford resigned. Commerford left at the end of September to pursue a job in the private sector. She had been with the department since 2002 and was appointed chief in 2008.
According to Bow select board Chairman Harry Judd, Lougee is aware of the recommendation and needs to be formally sworn in by Town Manager David Stack, who is on vacation until Monday.
Chris Nicolopoulos, a member of the select board and advisory committee, said Lougee grew up in Bow and has been with the department for 20 years. Before joining the department, Lougee served as a full-time member of the Air National Guard for four years.
Nicolopoulos said there were no preconceived notions as to whether an internal or external candidate would be better for the position, but noted the job posting got far more external than internal candidates.
The advisory board was made up of two residents, Nicolopoulos, and the elementary school principal, Nicolopoulos said, but the town manager ultimately makes the final recommendation on who to hire.
Lougee had been the high school’s student resource officer for 10 years and is extremely familiar with the community, selectmen said.
“Having someone who has a good understanding of the department and contacts in the community is massive to the community,” Nicolopoulos said. “So is having a dedicated student resource office – when you think about it, she’s interacted with thousands of Bow students over the years, even if they’re not residents anymore.”
Nicolopoulos said he did not know what steps would be taken to fill Lougee’s position, but said Lougee’s primary concern was to make sure the school resource officer position was filled by a good candidate. The role is typically taken on by an officer already in the department.
Lougee’s placement will restore the number of women police chiefs in the state to five. As of September, less than eight percent of local police officers were women, and the same was true of state troopers.
An email and phone call to Lougee was not immediately returned.