N.H. State Rep: Killing Cops Is OK

C O N C O R D, N.H., Jan. 3 -- A newly elected Republican state lawmakerhas enraged his constituents, party leaders and police by saying hefavors killing police officers when they cross the line. One policechief calls him “a hate-mongering lunatic.”

Tom Alciere, 41, won a seat in the New Hampshire House on hisfourth try after a low-key campaign last fall. It wasn’t untilSunday that his constituents in Nashua learned of his anti-policeviews.

Alciere told the Valley News of Lebanon that he loves it whensomeone kills a police officer: “It’s unfortunate that cops domake it necessary [to kill them] when they’re waging a war ondrugs, and I view cops as enemy officers.” He said he is “toochicken” to do it himself.

He acknowledges posting his views at Internet chat sites formonths, including this 1999 comment: “Nobody will ever be safeuntil the last cop is dead.”

State GOP Chief: Renounce or Resign

State GOP Chairman Steve Duprey said Alciere should renounce hisviews or resign. But Alciere stood his ground.

“There’s no way I’m going to resign,” he said Tuesday.

Alciere, a married father of one who inspects circuit boards ata factory, said he was arrested for “petty stuff” years ago butnever went to jail and has no criminal record. He said hisanti-police comments are the “harmless rantings of a privatecitizen” that won’t influence his legislative work.

New Hampshire has no procedure for recalling staterepresentatives, and legislators said they expect Alciere to serve.

“As despicable as the ideas are, the complaints against him arefor his ideas,” said Peter Burling, the House Democratic leader.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?

With 400 members, the New Hampshire House is the largest statelegislative body in the country and many campaigns don’t get muchmedia attention. Alciere admits he didn’t advertise his viewsduring his campaign, but denies misleading anyone.