By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

A 21-year member of the Army Reserves, and a 12-year member of the Allenstown Police Department, Shaun Mulholland has been named Allenstown’s new chief of police.

Allenstown selectmen recently chose the 37-year-old Mulholland following the departure of former Chief James McGonigle.

“(Mulholland) has proven himself to be an excellent leader even since he started as a patrol officer,” said selectmen Chairman Sandy McKenney. “He goes that extra step.”

Mulholland joined Allenstown police in 1994 as a patrol officer, after stints in the Auburn and Raymond police departments. He’s since worked his way up to the rank of captain, which is second in command.

Mulholland’s been leading the department most of the time since McGonigle was granted administrative leave in late February. McGonigle later resigned, and is the focus of an investigation by the criminal bureau of the state Attorney General’s office.

Mulholland earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire in 1991, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from the university’s Manchester campus.

He holds the rank of master sergeant with the Army Reserve, and has served in both Bosnia and Iraq.

Mulholland, who grew up in Raymond, said he plans to stay in Allenstown for a while.

“My plans are to finish my career here,” he said. “This is a great community to work in.”

The two biggest challenges facing the department, said Mulholland, are retaining talented and qualified officers and dealing with the prevalence of illegal drugs in town.

Mulholland will be sworn in at the town hall on Monday, May 15. The public is invited to attend, and, “there will be cake,” said McKenney.