Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 17, 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: Gail Ober, Babineau Family, Schilling Family, Ann Kaligian 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 – Christine E. Vigue. Sergeant Ashley introduced Christine who is an employee of the CVS Pharmacy located on Union Avenue in Laconia. Sergeant Ashley advised that Christine goes above and beyond her regular duties as an Associate of CVS by strictly enforcing Shoplifting/Willful Concealment offenses for which she is to be commended. Sergeant Ashley advised Christine has reported ninety Willful Concealment offenses to the Department and is very aggressive in policing loss prevention. The Commission presented Christine with a certificate and expressed thanks for her continued efforts with regard to enforcement of the Laws of Shoplifting/Willful Concealment. ITEM #1B Training. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams noted there was an article in reference to our newest volunteer, David Wood, who is assisting with our recycling efforts and is associated with the Lakes Region Community Services. Chief Adams noted it was Volunteer Appreciation Week and offered thanks to all the volunteers we are fortunate to have with us. Chief Adams noted an article with the “Stand Up” program which is a growing coalition of adults and youth coming together to create positive change. Chief Adams noted an article regarding Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Article along with a reminder of the conference in reference to Human Trafficking. Chief Adams advised April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and there was an article in the Laconia Links regarding this topic as well. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. Laconia Police Commission April 17, 2014 Minutes Page 2 ITEM #1E Hirings. 1) Officer Tyler D. Babineau – Captain Clary advised Officer Babineau has a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Anselm’s College and also attended Marymount University in Virginia. Captain Clary advised Tyler was a Police Officer for the City of Baltimore, Maryland, and comes highly recommended. 2) Officer Austin C. Schilling – Captain Clary advised Officer Schilling attended Messiah College in Pennsylvania, majoring in the Criminal Justice Program. Captain Clary advised Austin does not have any previous law enforcement experience, but was highly recommended. The Commission welcomed Officer Babineau and Officer Schilling to the Department and congratulated them on their appointments as Laconia Police Officers. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization. 1) Officer Patrick M. Lyons – Mountain Bike Patrol. Chief Adams advised Officer Lyons has been assigned to the Mountain Bike Patrol Unit and will be attending the Mountain Bike Patrol class in May which is held here at the Laconia Police Department and instructed by Sergeant Ashley. 2) Officer Richard J. Bassett – Motorcycle Patrol. Chief Adams advised Officer Basssett has been assigned to the Motorcycle Patrol and will be attending training. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the use of the motorcycle and was advised with the addition of Officer Bassett, there will be more use. ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Clary advised there are a few extra patrols scheduled for the weekend and specialized details will be assigned in the near future with the better weather coming. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised the Motorcycle Week planning continues and there has been emergency preparedness training at a child care center which brings them up to speed with the City. Captain Canfield advised the D.A.R.E. Graduations were just completed and Officer Cardinal is working with the Middle School classes at this time. 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 March 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. Laconia Police Commission April 17, 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. Chief Adams advised there was a slight increase in crimes against person, a 13% decrease in Crimes Against Property, a 22% decrease in Group B Crimes Against Property, 58% decrease in Group A Crimes Against Society, and a 4% decrease in Group B Crimes; including DWI, Bad Check Offenses, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. Captain Clary advised with regard to the CALEA Line Item, a lot of the expenditures should have been taken from the Training Line Item for the conference, so these funds are available in the Training Account. Captain Clary advised the numbers have been matched and it seems we look okay at this time unless there are any catastrophic events. ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chief Adams advised there were 41 accidents reported during the month of March, 2014, 10 of those being attributed to unsafe backing and 9 for driver inattention, with the two highest locations being Union Avenue and South Main Street. Chief Adams advised driver inattention can be almost anything, from someone talking on a cell phone or just glancing away from the roadway for an instant. Chairman Clement inquired of the construction and if this has created any significant issues with accidents. Chief Adams advised the detours are going fairly well so far with no major issues. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised there was a letter received from the Sheriff’s Department thanking us for our assistance with a wanted person as well as correspondence from New Beginnings, and a house check thank you. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised the majority of report cards were A’s, and only one with low ratings, but no further information was available for contact. ITEM #7B Best Supporting Community Partner Award – 2014. Chief Adams advised we received the Best Supporting Community Partner Award for some of the community initiatives and Community Policing efforts we have been engaged with and is very proud of our Officers and employees for what they do every day. ITEM #7C Volunteer Appreciation Week. Chief Adams advised this was at the beginning of the month. Chairman Clement discussed the volunteer efforts the Department does on a regular basis. Chief Adams advised we have been keeping track of volunteer hours through our Guardian Tracking Program. Chairman Clement advised this shows there are other things that happen other than law enforcement and praised the Department for the efforts shown. Laconia Police Commission April 17, 2014 Minutes Page 4 ITEM #7D Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Chief Adams advised the month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States to raise public awareness about sexual violence and how to educate communities on how to prevent sexual violence. ITEM #7E Child Abuse Prevention Month. Chief Adams advised the Police Department has partnered with the Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and will be displaying blue ribbons for heightened awareness of this campaign. Chief Adams advised several of the programs go hand-in-hand with some of our Problem Orientated Policing Projects. 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 May Meeting was scheduled for May 15, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 45 Beacon Street East. ITEM #11 Other Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #12 Citizen Comments. Gail Ober inquired if the Department is satisfied with the budget submission and was advised we have a follow-up presentation on April 28, 2014. Chief Adams advised the majority of the line items are level-funded, but the Council has asked about some of our community services. Gail Ober inquired about the specialized details and was advised they are within our resources and with the support of the City Manager; we are going to try and use some of the overtime money to enhance patrols. Captain Clary advised when an Officer is hired; it usually takes about eight months for training, so this will give us an opportunity to handle saturated patrols. Gail Ober inquired about the underage drinking grants and was advised this grant has come to an end. Captain Canfield advised we will have a couple of other grants available; to include DWI and Seat Belt Enforcement. Gail Ober inquired also of any funding which may be available for law enforcement, and was advised if we were to receive federal funding, this would be very beneficial to the Department. ITEM #13 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 3:25 p.m. Discussion ensued relative to an IAI investigation. Chairman Clement entertained a Motion to accept the Consent Agreement, including a two-week suspension, and full-time Certification from the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Laconia Police Commission April 17, 2014 Minutes Page 5 At 3:35 p.m., the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, 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 Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously at 3:33 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms