Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 20, 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 Alfred Lessard, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer, and Deborah M. Simkins GUESTS: Councilor Ava Doyle and Gail Ober Chairman Clement called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Chairman Clement led the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM#1 Personnel Matters. Chairman Clement inquired how many applicants participated in the last testing process and was advised there were approximately a hundred. ITEM #1A Commendations & Awards. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1B Training – 2014 American Association of Police Polygraphists Annual Seminar – Detective Kevin Butler. Lieutenant Lessard advised this is an annual seminar on the newest techniques and is also a refresher course on the existing polygraph techniques. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State school, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Lieutenant Lessard advised the recruits will be graduating from the Academy on April 11, 2014, and all are doing well. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised we had several articles in the Laconia Links which are always very informative. Chief Adams advised there was an article with regard to Driving in Snow and Ice, information with regard to the hiring of a new Officer, including location for the testing process, the Winnipesaukee Special Olympics, How to Report a Crime and a photograph of Officer Bassett participating in the Awards Presentation of the Special Olympics in Waterville, as well as the date and location for the Domestic Violence Sex Trafficking Awareness Training and the National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1E Hirings. Lieutenant Lessard advised on April 1, 2014, we will have two new Officers starting and they will be sworn in at the next Commission Meeting. Commissioner Maheux inquired if they will be attending the Academy and was advised one is full-time certified and the other will be required to take the Law Package only. Laconia Police Commission March 20, 2014, Minutes Page 2 ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization. Chief Adams advised Sergeant Cameron is now out on his own and Detective/Sergeant Swett has been reassigned to the Detective Division, effective March 1, 2014. ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Clary advised the Interlocal Trust Wellness Program will be working in conjunction with a police seminar which is to take place in September in Arizona. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised an active shooter presentation was done at City Hall and was heavily attended. Captain Canfield advised May 28, 2014, is the Motorcycle Week Breakfast Meeting at the Taylor Home at 9:00 a.m. Captain Canfield advised the D.A.R.E. Graduations are scheduled for next week; the Elm Street School on Tuesday, Pleasant Street School on Wednesday and Woodland Heights School on the Thursday of the following week. ITEM #2C Legal Division. Prosecutor Sawyer advised there are new rules coming down through the Court System with regard to the reporting system and we will have to file all complaints within fourteen days of the arraignments, with the exception of DWI arrests which are arraigned within fourteen days. Prosecutor Sawyer advised this will make the process more efficient and trials will be scheduled accordingly. ITEM #3 Orders and Bulletins. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #4 Approval of February 20, 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. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #5C Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #5D Monthly Patrol Division Statistics. Chief Adams advised there was an increase of 16% with regard to Crimes Against Persons, decrease of 63% for Crimes Against Property, decrease of 32% for Group A Crimes Against Property and 60% decrease for Group A Crimes Against Society. Chief Adams noted an increase in Group B Crimes of 13%; which include Bad Checks, DWI’s and Disorderly Conduct offenses. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. Chairman Clement noted the Accreditation line item is twice what was budgeted. Captain Clary advised we attended the conference this year and as we have two line items, perhaps it was put in the wrong line item. Laconia Police Commission March 20, 2014, Minutes Page 3 ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised we received positive correspondence from the Lakes Region Community Services, the Bible Study Group, the new Tilton-Northfield Fire Chief thanking Officer Callanan for her assistance during a theft case, and from a mom whose son had a birthday here at the Police Department and was very pleased. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised all the report cards were A’s. Commissioner Whittum inquired what kind of return we get with regard to the report cards and Chief Adams advised it is low as the majority of the people don’t send them. Commissioner Maheux noted this is a good program. ITEM #7B Special Olympics Winni Dip. Chief Adams advised several Officers participated in the Winni Dip and raised funds for the Special Olympics for New Hampshire. ITEM #7C 2014 Problem Orientated Policing Projects Assignments. Chief Adams advised Officers and personnel, including volunteers, have been assigned to the Problem Orientated Projects for 2014, and presented a copy of the assignments to the Commission. ITEM #7D New Hampshire Police Standards & Training Graduation. Chief Adams advised the graduation has been scheduled for April 11, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the Training Facility in Concord, New Hampshire. ITEM #8 Old Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #9 New Business. Chief Adams advised there will be a presentation with regard to Human Trafficking on April 9, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Woodside Building within the Taylor Community. ITEM #10 Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting. The April Meeting was scheduled for April 17, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Laconia Police Headquarters. ITEM #11 Other Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #12 Citizen Comments. Gail Ober inquired about the accident reporting, the high number of accidents being recorded as driver distraction, and if there is anything the Department might be doing to combat texting while driving or other distractions. Chief Adams advised we do have a Problem Orientated Policing Project which will focus on distracted driving. Gail Ober inquired about any Policy the Police Department has with regard to the use of cell phones by Officers while on patrol. Chief Adams advised we recently had a conversation about the usage of Police Officers with regard to talking on cell phones while working. Gail Ober inquired if there is a policy within the Department restricting the use of cell phones while on patrol. Captain Clary advised these issues have been Laconia Police Commission March 20, 2014, Minutes Page 4 reviewed by the Safety Board. Lieutenant Lessard advised distracted driving is not just talking on a cell phone and could be using a radio or taking a drink. ITEM #13 Non-Public Session. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously at 3:30 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms