william r. hart, jr.
Law enforcement professional | Concord, New Hampshire
With more than three decades of law enforcement leadership in New Hampshire, Marine Corps veteran William R. Hart, Jr. has demonstrated true dedication to the state he calls home.
An enlisted Marine from 1976-1979, Hart used his GI Bill to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Merrimack College, Massachusetts, graduating in 1981 after only two years of study. By 1986, he had also attained a master’s degree in American history from the University of Virginia as well as a Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School. Following his education, Hart practiced law as a defense attorney with several firms in the Newburyport, Massachusetts area.
Subsequently, Hart moved to the other side of law enforcement, becoming a prosecutor with the police department of Londonderry, New Hampshire. In 1994, he was elected county attorney for Rockingham County then rejoined the Londonderry Police Department in 2000 as a services captain before being selected as chief of police in 2009. He served as police chief for 13 years, retiring in 2022. His work extended outside of Londonderry as well, serving as a district court prosecutor on a part-time basis for several New Hampshire communities.
Shortly after his retirement, President Joseph R. Biden nominated, and the U.S. Senate confirmed Hart to serve as U.S. Marshal for the District of New Hampshire. He has held this position since 2023.
In August 2025, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte nominated Hart to serve as the commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Corrections saying, “Bill Hart has devoted his life to protecting the people of New Hampshire and strengthening our public safety system. His decades of service reflect his commitment, integrity, and ability to lead with both strength and fairness."