Stephen Arnold serves as the New Hampshire State Director and a senior representative for the New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA), where he leads legislative strategy, union representation, and labor advocacy across the Granite State. With more than 40 years of combined experience in law enforcement, military service, public policy, and nonprofit leadership, Stephen brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to his role.
Stephen’s law enforcement career began in the United States Air Force, where he served as a Security Police Sergeant from 1982 to 1986. After his honorable discharge, he joined the Portsmouth Police Department in New Hampshire, serving from 1986 to 2009. During his tenure, he held a wide range of roles, including detective, master patrolman, training officer, and background investigator. He also served as assistant team leader and investigator for the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force, overseeing complex narcotics investigations and undercover operations from 1996 to 2000.
Since joining NEPBA in 2009, Stephen has held numerous leadership roles including chief negotiator, union representative, and lobbyist. As State Director, he oversees over 800 members across New Hampshire and supervises all NEPBA staff within the state. He is responsible for contract negotiations, organizing new bargaining units, representing members in grievances, arbitrations, and unfair labor practices, and serving as NEPBA’s lead voice in state legislative matters.
In addition to his NEPBA responsibilities, Stephen is the president and trustee chairman of the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Cancer and Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit he helped grow through strategic mergers and community fundraising. He is also a co-founder of the New Hampshire Retirement Security Coalition, advocating for the protection of public employee retirement benefits.
Stephen was appointed by the Governor of New Hampshire to serve on several high-level commissions, including the NH Retirement System Board of Trustees, Homeland Security Committee, Death Penalty Study Commission, and the Public Employee Retiree Healthcare Study Commission.
He holds a degree in computer sciences from the Community College of the Air Force and has completed extensive training in nonprofit management, grant writing, labor relations, and retirement system policy. His work has been recognized with the United States Congressional Law Enforcement Award (twice) and numerous commendations from national, state, and local leaders.
A lifelong public servant, Stephen is also deeply involved in civic life as a past president of the NH Police Association, vice president of the Deep Creek Civic Association, and an active member of multiple fraternal and charitable organizations including the Elks, Moose, Eagles, American Legion, and Masons.
Stephen brings unmatched experience, passion, and advocacy to NEPBA, ensuring that New Hampshire’s law enforcement professionals are represented with strength, skill, and integrity.