Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 16, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Warren C. Clement, Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer and Deborah M. Simkins EXCUSED: Lieutenant Alfred J. Lessard GUESTS: Councilor Brenda Baer, Councilor Ava Doyle, Gail Ober, Tim Chairman Clement called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Chairman Clement led the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM#1 Personnel Matters. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1A Commendations & Awards. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1B Training. Captain Clary advised the four recruits are in their second week at the Academy and doing well. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Captain Clary advised there was an article regarding students at the Huot Technical Center receiving defensive tactics training from Sergeant Dennis Ashley and Officer Kevin Shortt. Captain Clary noted the article with regard to the delivering of packages on Christmas Eve to those families in need which is sponsored through the Laconia Police Relief Association Family Fund. Captain Clary advised there was information relative to the Emergency Notification System in conjunction with 911 for the purpose of communication during natural or manmade disasters. Captain Clary advised information was also provided with regard to Human Trafficking defined as modern-day slavery. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1E Hirings. Captain Clary advised the Oral Boards are scheduled for next week for the two open positions. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #2A Support Division. 1) BCI Drug Unit Report – 2013. Captain Clary advised the number of arrests was more than doubled from last year. Chairman Clement inquired if this included the arrests Laconia Police Commission January 16, 2014, Minutes Page 2 made within the last couple of weeks and was advised yes. Captain Clary advised we had two Detectives working primarily on drug enforcement. 2) Use of Force Summary – 2013. Captain Clary advised we actually had a decrease of about three percent in the ratio of arrests to the necessity for the Use of Force. Captain Clary advised Use of Force can be as little as someone pulling away during an arrest or detention to the use of OC Spray, and there was nothing significant in regards to the Use of Force. Captain Clary advised any Use of Force is discussed at Staff Meetings and any display of a firearm or Taser is tracked. Discussion ensued relative to the number of severe injuries. 3) Attrition Summary – 2013. Captain Clary advised eight people left employment during 2013; two through retirement, one during training, four leaving for another agency, and one from a full-time position to a part-time position. 4) Internal Affairs Summary – 2013. Captain Clary advised there were four investigations resulting in seven investigations against Officers which was on par for previous years. 5) Initial Personnel Complaint – 2013. Captain Clary advised there was a total of fifty- nine violations with the majority of complaints being initiated within the Department; the highest number being for Reporting for Duty. Captain Clary advised all information is reported through Guardian Tracking, including positive and negative comments received. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised another Active Shooter presentation will take place next month and will include going over the emergency and evacuation plans as well. Captain Canfield advised Motorcycle Week planning has already started, and noted an increase in the number of Robberies, which will be addressed through a Problem Oriented Policing Project. ITEM #2C Legal Division. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #3 Orders and Bulletins. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #4 Approval of December 19, 2013, Minutes. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the minutes as presented, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. ITEM #5A Department Monthly Highlights. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #5B Monthly Fleet Report. Chairman Clement inquired of the vehicle that was damaged during a previous accident, and was advised we are waiting for parts for the repairs. Discussion ensued relative to vehicle costs; specifically front line cars. Captain Clary advised a front line car can be quite costly for maintenance, up to $4,500 a year, as it is used more often. Captain Clary advised typically they are not taken off the front line for at least three years and approximately 100,000 miles. Commissioner Maheux inquired about tire replacement and was advised the average mileage on tires is approximately 15,000 miles. Laconia Police Commission January 16, 2014, Minutes Page 3 ITEM #5C Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #5D Monthly Patrol Division Statistics. Captain Clary noted Crimes Against Persons declined by approximately 20 percent, Crimes Against Property showed an increase of approximately 60 percent with the most significant being Robbery, Arson and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Crimes Against Society showed an increase of approximately 26 percent while Group B Crimes decreased by approximately 19 percent. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. Captain Clary advised there are a lot of line items which are of concern, including overtime, as a result of some of our vacancies, and our computer line item is overspent, but we have addressed that by creating a line item just for the maintenance of computers. ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chairman Clement noted a decrease in the number of parking tickets issued. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Chairman Clement noted a complaint received from the parent of a student at the Pleasant Street School expressing concern with regard to pedestrian traffic and vehicles not stopping. Captain Clary advised we received a donation in memory of former Dispatcher Jack Severance for the K-9 Fund. Chairman Clement noted a complimentary letter received from Kelly Ayotte as well. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Captain Clary noted all A’s. ITEM #7B Approval of Commission Attendance Report. The Commission approved the Attendance Report for the year 2013. ITEM #7C 2013 Goals and Objectives End of Year Summary. Captain Canfield advised funds were raised through generous donations within the community for the Cop Card Program and the 2014 series will be available this summer. Captain Canfield advised an awareness and educational program was initiated with regard to the Texting Campaign and Officers have been placing special emphasis on identifying distracted drivers. Captain Canfield advised ballistic vests and helmets have been provided in all front line cruisers and all in-house personnel and Officers will receive yearly training on the latest Active Shooter Techniques. Captain Canfield expressed appreciation to the City Council for their support of the Active Shooter Presentations. Captain Canfield advised the Department has been working in conjunction with E-911 in reference to the availability of mass notification of citizens through technology. Captain Canfield advised the two Property Crime Problem Orientated Policing Projects were completed and noted a decrease in the number of Burglaries, Shoplifting, and Theft from Motor Vehicles. Captain Canfield advised the addition of a Narcotic Detective has been a significant factor with regard to the increase in drug-related cases. Captain Canfield advised the Laconia Police Commission January 16, 2014, Minutes Page 4 Physical Fitness Challenge was very successful and aided financially in the purchase of a new treadmill for the Department. ITEM #7D 2014 Goals and Objectives. Discussion with regard to this Agenda Item was postponed until the February, 2014, Meeting. ITEM #7E 2014 Problem Oriented Policing Projects. Discussion with regard to this Agenda Item was postponed until the February 20, 2014, Meeting. ITEM #8 Old Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #9 New Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #10 Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting. The February Meeting was scheduled for February 20, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Laconia Police Headquarters. ITEM #11 Other Business – Winni Dip. Captain Canfield advised the Winni Dip is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the Margate Resort, at noon. ITEM #12 Citizen Comments. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #13 Non-Public Session. Non-Public Session. On a motion by Chairman Clement, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (a), the Laconia Police Commission entered into Non- Public Session at 3:35 p.m. Discussion ensued relative to the Sick Time Analysis. Captain Clary advised as the Policy has been changed, the family leave time is reduced. Discussion ensued relative to the Initial Personnel Complaints and Use of Force with regard to any specific concerns. At 3:45p.m., the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, with a unanimous vote to maintain the Minutes as confidential, in accordance with RSA 91:A:3, III. There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously at 3:45 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms