Heather Cote received a Master’s in Justice Administration from Norwich University and a B.S. in Criminology from Granite State University. Heather’s law enforcement career started in 2000 as a patrol officer for the Town of Rye, New Hampshire. With a strong focus in criminal investigations, she became a child and adult forensic interviewer, specializing in sexual assault cases. In 2013, Heather joined the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, rising through the ranks to Captain. During her time at the Sheriff’s Office, Heather oversaw criminal investigations and the county wide drug task force, conducted internal investigations and completed criminal conflict cases. Heather became certified in Prison Rape Elimination Act practices and handled sexual assaulted cases within the county corrections department. She became a member of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) in 2015, where her focus was on cases involving child exploitation. Heather served as the Support Commander for the Strafford Country regional SWAT team, overseeing the crisis negotiation, tactical dispatch and medic functions. She is also an FBI certified crisis negotiator. At that time of her retirement in 2020, she was the Operations Captain, overseeing 70 employees and the facilitation of contract work for federal law enforcement entities.