New Hampshire Police Badge Requirements & Regulations Guide
Complete guide to PSTC certification standards and badge specifications for law enforcement across the Granite State
New Hampshire law enforcement badges are governed by the Police Standards and Training Council (PSTC). All sworn officers must be PSTC-certified. New Hampshire has 10 counties with elected sheriffs using star badges, while municipal police use shields. NH State Police provides statewide coverage. Cold New England winters require durable badge materials.
- Approximately 3,000 sworn law enforcement officers statewide
- 10 county sheriff offices
- ~200 municipal police departments
- New Hampshire State Police: ~350 troopers
- 41st most populous state with 1.4 million residents
- PSTC minimum training: 684 hours for certification
New Hampshire Law Enforcement Overview
New Hampshire’s small size and New England town structure creates numerous small police departments. Manchester Police is the largest, serving the state’s largest city. Many smaller towns operate part-time police departments or contract with state police.
New Hampshire State Police provides critical coverage for rural areas and interstate highways. The 10 county sheriffs primarily handle court security and civil process rather than patrol duties.
New Hampshire’s harsh winters with heavy road salt exposure and sub-zero temperatures require durable badge construction. Specify hard enamel that won’t crack in cold with quality plating (20+ mils). Salt exposure accelerates corrosion on lower-quality finishes.
- New Hampshire has 10 county sheriffs using star badges
- PSTC certification (684 hours) required
- Many small town police departments
- Cold climate requires durable materials
The Bottom Line
New Hampshire’s New England law enforcement traditions and cold climate create specific requirements. For custom badge orders, see our badge procurement guide.