Capt. Jason Mazza became police chief in Plaistow, N.H., this past Monday.
The promotion ceremony was held at the Plaistow Board of Selectman meeting with members of the department, Mazza’s family and members of the public present. Mazza was introduced by his counterpart, Plaistow Fire Chief Chris Knutsen.
Mazza holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and is an FBI-LEEDA Trilogy recipient. He has been a member of the Plaistow Police Department since 2002, when he started his career as a police and fire dispatcher. In 2007, Mazza shifted his career and became a police officer. Over his career, he’s received various accolades for life saving, motor vehicle activity, arrests and received a prosecutor award.
Mazza was promoted to police sergeant in 2012 and became the interim chief of police in 2020. He was promoted to administrative captain in 2022 and was named interim chief of police in May of 2026 where he held that title until his promotion.
Knutsen said that he “looks forward to working with Mazza side by side to address public safety concerns.” Adding, “Mazza will bring professionalism and dedication, and that the Plaistow Fire Department looks forward to working with him.”
Mazza said he’s “truly humble” and “appreciates the opportunity to lead the agency.” A press release added, “members of the Plaistow Police Department are excited for the long-awaited opportunity for Chief Mazza to lead the department with honor, integrity, competency and knowledge of the town. We look forward to his continued success and thank him for his many years of guidance and being a constant through challenges and adversity the department has faced. Chief Mazza has been at the fore front of getting the department through hardships and we cannot thank him enough.”
The Board of Selectman called the promotion “well-deserved.”