New Hampshire's Department of Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes is retiring after 12 years on the job and 43 years in public safety.
Barthelmes oversees one of the state's largest agencies, which includes State Police, the DMV, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Division of Fire Safety.
He says one of his main accomplishments was overseeing the 2008 merger of the State Police and Highway Patrol and overhaul of the State Police Officer recruitment process.
"If you look at the State Police today, they're recognized as one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country - not the biggest but one of the finest."
He says he hopes his successor will continue recruiting quality staff and focusing on customer service.
"Serving the citizens and meeting their needs has to be the number one," he says. "That's the reason we exist. They have to have a focus on that, and they should have a focus on bringing the best and the brightest into our organization."
In a letter Monday, Governor Sununu praised Barthelmes' years of service. The Governor's office says he plans to appoint a new commissioner by April.
