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Police Department & Services

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1. How do I obtain a pistol/revolver license?

RSA 159:6 authorizes the Chief of Police of the Bedford Police Department to issue a resident of the Town of Bedford, upon completed application, a license to carry a pistol or revolver in NH. Applications may be obtained in the lobby of the BPD or a printable application can be found and downloaded from the BPD webpage via the FORMS tab. From there click Forms/Fees and then you will see the list of forms available to print. (It's labeled: NH Resident Pistol Revolver License Mar2017)

A $10.00 fee must be paid when picking up your license. It will take approximately 14 days to process your application. You will need a picture ID (and/or proof of residency) when you pick up your license. No one else can obtain your license for you. When issued, the license will be valid for a period of not less than five years and may be renewed during the license holder’s birth month.
As of February, 2017, the license became voluntary for qualified persons to carry concealed within the State of New Hampshire with certain specific limitations. More details can be found here: Pistol Licenses page.

2. Do I have to register my firearms with the police?

No, you do not have to register your firearms with the Bedford Police Department. However, you should maintain complete records of the makes, models and serial numbers of any firearms that you own.

3. What does the "Brady Law" require?

The "Brady Law" requires any federally licensed firearms dealer to conduct a background check on individuals who intend on purchasing a firearm. This check must be done within 5 days from the date the purchaser completes a "Statement of Intent to Obtain a Handgun(s)" or "Brady form".

In New Hampshire, gun dealers can obtain an "instant check" on a purchaser from the Department of Safety via telephone. If a further check is required, the dealer will contact the chief law enforcement officer of the police department where the purchaser lives. The local authorities will conduct the record check on the purchaser at that time, notifying the dealer of the purchaser's status before five days have past.

4. How far away from my house do I need to be in order to shoot my guns?

Per state law (NH RSA's 207:3-a, 207:3-c, and 644:13), you may not shoot across or within 15 feet of a road, or “within 300 feet of a permanently occupied dwelling without permission of the owner or the occupant of the dwelling or from the owner of the land on which the person discharging the firearm or shooting the bow and arrow is situated.” You also may not discharge a firearm within the “compact part of a town or city,” defined as “the territory within a town or city comprised of the following:
(a) Any nonresidential, commercial building, including, but not limited to, industrial, educational, or medical buildings, plus a perimeter 300 feet wide around all such buildings without permission of the owner.
(b) Any park, playground, or other outdoor public gathering place designated by the legislative body of the city or town.
(c) Any contiguous area containing 6 or more buildings which are used as either part- time or permanent dwellings and the spaces between them where each such building is within 300 feet of at least one of the others, plus a perimeter 300 feet wide around all the buildings in such area.

5. How do I have fingerprints taken?

The organization requesting fingerprints from you should supply a fingerprint card. You must bring the blank card(s) to the Dispatch window in the Bedford Police Department lobby on Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon. For more information regarding fees, please visit our Fingerprinting page.

6. Do I have to register my alarm system with the police?

No, alarm systems are not required to be registered.

7. Who do I see to pick-up evidence or other property the police are holding?

Any evidence, found property or property held for safekeeping may be obtained by calling the Detective Division, Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to schedule an appointment to have it returned. The department will hold evidence until all legal requirements are satisfied. Found property must be held for a minimum of 180 days in accordance with RSA 471-C:13.

If the department is unable to locate the property owner or the finder of the property does not want it an auction will be held to dispose of it. Property held for safekeeping may be returned when the reason the police obtained it is no longer valid. We will make every effort to return property as soon as possible after it is no longer needed for police purposes.

Note: Firearms seized under a Domestic Violence Petition or as the result of an arrest are returned per court order.

8. How are Police Reports obtained, and how much do they cost?

Incident and Crime Reports: can be obtained from the Records Department as soon as they become available. You may request the report in writing using the Records Request Form. It can be found in the lobby of the PD or downloaded from the "Forms" section. When possible, reports that don’t require redaction can be emailed to the requestor. If the report you are interested in obtaining is for insurance purposes or for a lawyer, you may prefer to have them request the report for you. Cash, check or money order are the only accepted methods of payment and are due at the time the request is made.

- Accident Reports: As of June 16, 2017 Governor Sununu signed HB 437 allowing law enforcement to release motor vehicle accident reports and records again! Anyone looking to get copies of MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORTS must request this report using the Record Request Form that is available in the lobby of the Police Department 24/7, or here on our website under the "Forms" tab. There is a $20.00 fee for reports that must be submitted with the request. We take cash and check only. The report will then be emailed out to you when it is completed and approved. Only individuals involved in the accident (drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, or property owners with damage, -and their insurers) are entitled to the report.

- Incidents: An incident report or Dispatch Log is a very brief description of calls that officers respond to. An incident report is typically one page of information that includes the date and time of an incident, the location, and the name(s) of officer(s) who responded to the scene.

- Crime Reports: A crime report is the Police Department’s more thorough investigation of an incident that has been reported. If you are the victim in a crime, you may call the police department at any time to check on the status of your case. Whether or not a report can be released depends mostly on its status. For example, if a case is under active investigation or pending court, details will not be made available to the public. Any replication photographs onto a CD will be charged $25.00 per CD.

- Arrest Reports/Discovery: If you need to obtain a copy of your arrest report, there are two ways of obtaining a copy. You may either have your lawyer request the report or you may contact the prosecutor's office at police headquarters. If you have retained a lawyer, he or she should be the one to request it for you. If you are requesting a copy of your arrest report for yourself, you must do it in writing using the Records Request Form.

All reports are individually reviewed for release. Reports may not be released if there are suspects, accused, juvenile, or arrested parties mentioned in the report or if it is an open investigation or is a pending court case. Redacted/edited copies may be released in certain cases. Any questions pertaining to the release can be answered by our records clerks.

Forms and fees can be found HERE

9. How do I obtain a Domestic Violence Petition (DVP)/Restraining Order?

You need to apply at the District Court in your City or Town. The order must then be brought to the local police. Advocates are available to help with the process. For more information, visit our Restraining Orders

10. How is the protective order served?

The order can only be served in hand (in person) by a police officer. The order can be served at place of employment or residence. The order will be served as timely as possible. All reasonable attempts are made to locate the defendant. The petition is not in effect until served to the defendant. If problems arise prior to service being made, the plaintiff should contact their local authorities and advise them of the problem at hand. Service of the petition will be attempted at that time.

11. What happens if an address is not available for Domestic Violence Petition service?

All unserved restraining orders that do not contain a valid address remain on file at the police station. Officers have access to these orders 24 hours a day should an address become available. The plaintiff is advised to notify the station of any updated information.

12. What do I do once a Domestic Violence Petition has been served?

The temporary restrictions must be followed by the defendant and plaintiff until appearance in court. You need to appear in court on the date listed on the petition to address charges. The court then decides whether or not the order will continue or be revoked.

13. What if the Domestic Violence Petition is not served prior to the court date?

The plaintiff must still appear in court on the specified date. A hearing cannot be held without the defendant's presence. The court may then issue a new court date and continue the temporary orders.

14. Can the police department check my vacant property while I am away?

You can request an officer check on your home while you are away (minimum of 3 days, maximum of 30 days) so long as no one is staying there in your absence (house-sitters, etc). If the house is for sale, we are unable to conduct vacant property checks. You can access the Vacant Property Form online or pick one up in the lobby of the Police Department. It must be submitted in person at the Police Department.

You must show an ID that shows you are an owner of the residence. An officer will check once a day (barring any major incidents in Bedford that would prevent the officers from doing so. Emergency calls will take priority.)

15. Can I request information under the Freedom of Information Act?

In New Hampshire, RSA 91-A known as the Right To Know Law, serves as the guideline for providing information similar to the Federal Freedom of Information Act. The Bedford Police Department releases non-protected information to individuals, groups, and agencies as allowed by this statute.

The Department has 5 days in which to respond to any such request. In some cases the request can be filled immediately, in other cases where servicing the request takes longer, the information is provided as soon as it is available. The Bedford Police Department has a multi-purpose Records Request Form available in the lobby and online (PDF).

16. Is there a Winter Parking Ban?

Yes, the Town of Bedford has a Winter Parking ban in effect from November 1 to April 1. No person shall park any motor vehicle on any public way between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m. or at any other time in such a manner as to impede snow removal operations. Parking tickets will be issued for violations.

17. How do I know if I need to hire a police detail officer?

Call the Police Department at 603-472-5113. Advise of the times and location of the detail and what type of job it is (i.e., construction job, block party, etc.) We will let you know if hiring an officer is needed.

18. How do I go about hiring a police detail officer?

Fill out the Detail Request Form and email it or deliver it to the Bedford Police Department.
Detail Request Form

19. How much notice is required to hire a detail officer?

Details should be booked a couple days before the detail is required.

20. What is the cost to hire a detail officer?

See the information on Police Department fees for services at our Fee Schedule.

21. How do I cancel a detail officer?

To cancel a detail officer, call the Police Department at 603-472-5113 and speak to Communications. If the cancellation is weather related, you need to call in at least an hour beforehand. For any other type of cancellation, you need to call in at least 2 hours beforehand to avoid being charged for the detail.

22. Are there any considerations for residents with special needs?

Yes, the Bedford Police Department suggests registering family members with special medical needs such as Alzheimer's and Autism, etc. Doing so allows the Department to have photographs and knowledge of conditions to assist with identification of residents who may wander or come in contact with police and be unable to verbally express their identity.

The Medical Registration Form is useful for individuals with medical conditions, mobility impairment, or unique medical situations. There is also a Special Needs Awareness Form for cases such as children with autism, sensory sensitivities, or special needs. These forms should be updated annually.
Forms Page

23. What do I do if I have been given a Bad Check?

Before the Bedford Police Department can investigate a Bad Check complaint, certain steps must be taken by the reporting party. Each victim must first send a letter to the writer of the check stating the check was not honored and demand payment within 14 days time via certified mail with return receipt requested.

Second, the victim must be willing to prosecute the writer and agree not to accept any restitution before prosecution takes place. The Bedford Police will not investigate a Bad Check if the check was post dated, more than 60 days old, used to pay a gambling debt, if any partial payment for the debt was received, the check was written for less than $100 from an in-state bank or $500 from an out of state bank.

Additionally, the Bedford Police will not investigate a Bad Check complaint if the check was returned with “Stop Payment” on it, the check was not presented to the bank within 10 days of receipt, the check is a government check, a third party check, a check that the victim accepted as payment for another Bad Check from the writer, is a payroll check with “Account Closed” or “Insufficient Funds” on it, or if the writer was not, and can not be positively identified as the person who passed the check.

For those who fail to meet the criteria for the Bedford Police Department to investigate a Bad Check allegation, they should seek a civil course of action in small claims court. For those subjects who have a received a Bad Check regarding a payroll check stamped with “Account Closed” or “Insufficient Funds”, they should seek assistance from the New Hampshire Department of Labor.

24. What do I do if I am a victim of Identity Theft?

If you believe that you have been a victim of Identity Theft, you should take several steps to mitigate the damage.

First, report the incident to the local police department in which the theft occurred in, or if not practical, the police department you reside in.

Second, you should contact one of the 3 nationwide consumer reporting companies to file a “fraud alert” for your personal information. The three companies consist of TransUnion (800-680-7289), Equifax (800-525-6285), and Experian (800-397-3742). You will only need to notify one agency, as they have to notify the others by law. There are 2 types of fraud alerts that you can file. An “initial alert” is short term for 90 days, or an extended for 7 years. These alerts will notify you of any new credit activity taking place using your personal information.

- Third you should close any account that has been compromised, and monitor all of your other existing accounts.

25. How do I follow up on the status of my open case?

Due to the varied schedules of the detective or officer handling your case, it is often easiest to email them with your questions, updates, and concerns. Please review the appropriate detective/officer email address on this site. If this is not practical, you may call the Bedford Police Department business line (603-472-5113) and ask for the officer’s extension. If you need immediate assistance, ask the dispatcher to speak with the next available officer.

26. How do I follow up on the status of my case that is awaiting prosecution?

For any questions regarding the prosecution of your case, please contact the prosecution secretary directly at 603-472-7163 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays). Be sure to have your case number ready for reference purposes.

27. I'd like to have a Block Party. What do I need to know?

For information and criteria on holding a Block Party, visit our Block Party information page.

28. What are the fees for reports, fingerprints, etc?

To see the police services fee schedule, visit the Forms & Fees page

29. How do I dispose of prescription medicine or sharps (needles)?

As the DEA stated in a previous press release, “With four out of five new heroin users starting with prescription medications, I know our take-back program makes a real difference.” And we here at the Bedford Police Department couldn’t agree more. BPD now has a drug disposal box in our lobby available 24/7 to Bedford residents. This service is available for disposal of unused or expired medications or supplements. It is anonymous and the pills can be in unlabeled bottles or baggies. 

**NO liquids/ointments, needles, inhalers, aerosols, or thermometers accepted.** 

The new Drug Collection Unit represents one of 1,000 Units CVS/pharmacy and The Medicine Abuse Project (MAP), a five-year initiative of The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, are providing across the country. Since we initiated our own prescription drug drop-box in the lobby of the police department on June 16, 2015, we have taken in over HUNDREDS of pounds of prescription medications for disposal. This is an incredibly important step in fighting the drug epidemic in our community and it is something that every single household can do to combat this problem. It is important to note that according to statistics from the Partnership for Drug Free America, 60% of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before the age of 15. In addition, the rate of New Hampshire young adults aged 18-25 who reported non-medical use of pain relievers was the HIGHEST of all states reporting [2009-2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health]. 

As we have discovered in the past, discussions on drug take back usually raise questions on proper disposal of medical sharps (needles). In an effort to clarify, here are the options that the Town of Bedford offers for safe and proper needle disposal. Due to the risk to employees these disposal practices MUST be followed: 

-The Transfer Station accepts needles as per the information in the NH Department of Environmental Services Needle document available here: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/waste/swmb/documents/bmp-household-sharps.pdf.  Please read this document. It is allowed so long as the needles are put in a container that is rigid and puncture-proof, such as a laundry detergent bottle that has the screw-top securely taped and is labeled “Medical Sharps Container –Not for Recycling”. They have signs and labels at the Transfer Station. You can also print off copies of the label at home and tape them to the container. THE LINK FOR LABELS IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS FAQ.  No needles in bags or boxes will be accepted. No exceptions. 

Proper disposal of prescription medications and needles and other sharps can prevent harmful health risks to the public, reduce potential drug abuse, and keep our public servants and employees safe. Thank you for helping us! 

[ http://www.epa.gov/wastes/nonhaz/industrial/medical/disposal.htm ]Disposal Of Medical Sharps - EPA website

CLICK HERE FOR SHARPS CONTAINER LABELS