There are racist police officers in New Hampshire, according to former public defender Julian Jefferson. Not so, according to Allen Aldenberg, police chief of the largest city in the state. Jefferson is now a visiting professor at the University of New Hampshire Law School. He recently wrote a commentary column that was featured in the Portsmouth Herald.  He singled out the Manchester police force as being racist, but Manchester’s police chief Allen Aldenberg disputes that. Podcast producer Roger Wood spoke with both of them talking about the issues they agree with and those they dispute.

Julian Jefferson was born and raised in Boston, where some of his family members are current and former Boston Police officers. Jefferson moved to New Hampshire in 2011 to attend law school and has resided here since. He was a public defender for 11 years in both the Nashua and Manchester offices. He is currently a visiting professor at UNH Law School.

Chief Allen Aldenberg has served as a law-enforcement professional for 25 years, serving with the Essex County Sheriffs Department in Massachusetts and the Goffstown, NH, Police Departments prior to joining the Manchester Police Department in 2003. During his tenure with the Manchester Police Department, Aldenberg has served as a Patrol officer, Field Training Officer, K9 Officer, and as an investigator within the Detective Unit.

Roger Wood is an award winning radio, podcast, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media.   Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher and podcast producer at InDepthNH.org.  In 2021 and 2022, he was recognized by the New Hampshire Press Association for his work in news podcasts. Prior to that he was honored for his work in broadcast radio news and public affairs. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH.

New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other public and commercial radio stations.  He also produced spot news for CBS Radio. He has produced and narrated some 50 audiobooks and has written three novels.  Roger has also moderated political forums for Seacoast Area Chambers of Commerce in Senate, gubernatorial and congressional races. He has also facilitated public policy discussions locally and statewide.  Roger and his wife Elaine, parents of three adult children, reside in Portsmouth with their cat Sebastian.

Roger Wood

Associate publisher

Podcast Producer     

Indepthnh.org