Instructor Biography

John Monaghan

Chief John Monaghan (retired) began his career in 1999 as a patrolman in Lebanon, New Hampshire, then worked as a state trooper from 2002–2012 serving communities in rural New Hampshire. In 2012, he became the chief of police in Franconia working to rebuild community trust in the wake of the shooting of Officer McKay. In 2018, he became the chief of police in Moultonborough, working with his department to use the principles of procedural justice to engage with the community. After retiring from police work, Chief Monaghan began consulting at All Aces Inc., a racial-equity firm, as their lead facilitator, focused on organizational resilience and development. Chief Monaghan merged his police experience and worked as a consultant for The Centers for Policing Equity, using data transparency to inform policing practices in an effort to reduce violent interactions between police and the community. Chief Monaghan was featured in the 2019 Nantucket Project documentary film The Box. In 2021, he presented a Ted Talk on mental health and well-being for law enforcement. He teaches mental health for first-line supervisors at the Roger Williams Command School and is a subject-matter expert for the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s National Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers and Safer Together Programs focused on officer wellness and suicide prevention. He is also a guide for the Boulder Crest Foundation’s Post Traumatic Growth workshops. Chief Monaghan holds a master’s degree from Antioch University in leadership and management and an undergraduate degree in resource management from Sterling College. He is a 2011 alumnus of Leadership Upper Valley. In 2023, Chief Monaghan was named a fellow for the Nantucket Project. In his spare time, Chief Monaghan enjoys riding bikes of all kinds, skiing, and training in jujitsu. He has a side career as an opener at his local comedy scene.