Sr. Officer Paul Gifford

Paul Gifford is in his thirteenth year as a law enforcement officer specializing in narcotic-related investigations.  He has received many accolades during his time as a drug interdiction officer to include the prestigious “Looking Beyond the Traffic Stop ” award issued by the New Hampshire Police State Academy for his successful drug seizures.  Paul’s work as an interdiction officer has also led to favorable New Hampshire Supreme Court rulings recognizing his techniques.

In January of 2007, Paul began working with the Hanover, NH Police Department.  In 2008 Paul transferred to the City of Lebanon NH Police Department where he continued his work in narcotics by assisting with the NH Drug Task Force.

In 2015 Paul was selected to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force where he worked in an undercover capacity.  The New England area, specifically New Hampshire, has been the epicenter of the Opioid drug crisis.  New Hampshire rates 2nd in the nation, behind West Virginia, for the number of opioid-related deaths relative to its population.  It rates number one, though, for fentanyl-related deaths per capita.  Paul’s Drug Task Force has investigated dozens of fentanyl-related overdoses and continues to combat the deadly drug by educating the public and conducting undercover operations targeting the sources.  In addition to fentanyl-related investigations, Paul has also conducted undercover operations targeting methamphetamine dealers in the New England region.  As a result of his meth investigations, Paul’s efforts resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in the New England region.

Paul has also been the Tactical Team Leader for the past 8 years for the City of Lebanon.  He actively serves in the Vermont Army National Guard’s Sniper Section in Jericho, Vermont.  Paul had been a law enforcement instructor since 2008 and has a strong passion for teaching and mentoring.