Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Warren C. Clement, Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer, and Deborah M. Simkins EXCUSED: Captain Matthew J. Canfield and Lieutenant Alfred J. Lessard GUESTS: Jennifer Camire, Ed Pierce, Dennis Lintz 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 – Jennifer Camire and Leon Jesseman (Circle K). Chief Adams commended Jennifer Camire, Leon Jesseman and Circle K for the preparation, packaging and delivering of refreshments for the Officers participating in our Mountain Bike Training School and all they do for the Police Department and the City of Laconia. ITEM #1B Training. Captain Clary advised Officer Austin Schilling will be graduating from the Police Academy tomorrow, and will then be assigned to a Patrol Training Officer for the remainder of his in-house training. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised National Night Out was featured in a Laconia Links Edition and was a huge success. Chief Adams advised Circle K once again sponsored the Special Olympics in conjunction with the men and women of the Laconia Police Department for “To Serve and Protect”, and actually broke the current record for funds donated to Special Olympics. Chief Adams advised a program entitled Counseling on Access to Lethal Training (CALM) was held at the Police Station today. The Chief advised this is a workshop presented to first responders and is a strategy to prevent suicide. Chief Adams advised we presently have two applications for the Citizen’s Academy which is scheduled to begin on September 16, 2014. Chief Adams advised we had nine participants in the AARP Safe Driving Course that we sponsor. Chief Adams advised Thomas F. Mullen Golf Tournament to support the D.A.R.E. Program is scheduled for September 12, 2014. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1E Hirings. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization – Prevention Enforcement and Treatment Coordinator. Chief Adams advised we are looking for an Officer who might be interested in this position on Laconia Police Commission August 21, 2014, Minutes Page 2 a trial basis, starting some time in September, running for about four or five months, followed by a presentation to the Council on the success of the program. Commissioner Maheux inquired if this will be a Certified Police Officer and was advised yes. Chief Adams advised this is a very non-traditional position, but it will give us a chance to make a big dent in the substance abuse issues within the Community and is hoping to get some good results from it. ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Clary discussed concerns regarding the increase in Spice overdoses throughout the State. The Captain advised we will be sending Officers into the stores in an effort to determine where the product is being sold. Captain Clary advised the two newest Police Cruisers are Ford Interceptors and are scheduled to go on line as soon as they are outfitted. Captain Clary advised new holsters are being purchased and they are of a higher retention with a mechanism that has to be used before the gun can be removed from the holster. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Lieutenant Simmons advised National Night Out went well and the Citizen’s Academy is coming up soon. Lieutenant Simmons advised the (Problem Oriented Policing) POP Projects are starting up again and the Underage Drinking Project has already been aired by Sergeant Finogle. Lieutenant Simmons advised we did not do any active shooter presentations this month, but requests are still trickling in. Chief Adams advised we will be doing the POP presentations once again starting at the next Commission Meeting. Chief Adams also brought attention to the recent investigation involving the father and son scam. Lieutenant Simmons advised there were several cases throughout the State involving the two, and we worked with BCI on a sting which was very successful, aiding in other departments closing their cases as well. ITEM #2C Legal Division. Prosecutor Sawyer advised the intern has returned to school, but did some really good work while she was here. Prosecutor Sawyer advised effective January 1, 2015, there is a Law change indicating the age of a juvenile to be 18. Commissioner Maheux inquired if having an intern throughout the year would be beneficial and was advised yes. Prosecutor Sawyer advised Officer Batstone recently provided him with information from the Manchester Police Department regarding a program they have in place with their volunteers. Prosecutor Sawyer advised the volunteers view the dispatch logs looking specifically for incidents involving domestic violence where no charges are brought forth. Prosecutor Sawyer advised they look at these potential cases and reach out to the individuals involved to see if they need assistance. Prosecutor Sawyer advised he is hoping to implement this as part of the Victim Services Unit to let people know there are services available in the community and perhaps reduce the number of Domestic Violence issues. ITEM #3 Orders and Bulletins. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #4 Approval of July 17, 2014, Minutes and July 31, 2014, Minutes. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the minutes as presented, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Laconia Police Commission August 21, 2014, Minutes Page 3 ITEM #5A Department Monthly Highlights. Chief Adams advised there were 46 ½ hours of volunteer services during the month of July. Chairman Clement noted the number of volunteer hours performed by members of the Department is understated. 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 Crimes Against Persons showed an increase of 25% (Simple Assault and Criminal Threatening specifically), Crimes Against Property decreased by 8%, Crimes Against Society showed a decrease of 44%, and Group B Crimes (Bad Checks, DWI, Protective Custody, Disorderly Conduct) showed an increase of 7%. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chief Adams advised there were 51 accidents in July as compared to 68 last year at the same time; 14 of which were the result of unsafe backing and 8 for driver inattention/distraction, with the majority of the accidents occurring on Union Avenue. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised we received a thank you from the Conway Police Department for the assistance provided by Lieutenant Simmons during a recent Oral Board for a promotional process. Chief Adams advised we received a thank you from the Boys and Girls Club for our assistance during their car wash. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised we received one bad report card, but stated he did speak with the gentleman personally and this has been taken care of. Chief Adams advised most of the report cards reflected A’s and B’s. ITEM #7B F.A.S.T.E.R. – Families Advocating Substance Treatment, Education and Recovery. Chief Adams advised this is a support group for parents with children/young adults with substance abuse issues. Chief Adams advised he met with the people who are running this today and they are very excited about this program and this is a great tool for Officers for referring parents. ITEM #7C Citizen’s Academy. Chief Adams advised the Citizen’s Academy is scheduled to begin on September 16, 2014. 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. Laconia Police Commission August 21, 2014, Minutes Page 4 ITEM #10 Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting. The September Meeting was scheduled for September 18, 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. Ed inquired of the status of the Tasers. Captain Clary advised we have been looking into it and one of the Grants will have funding available to purchase Tasers. Ed inquired if there are any special patrols scheduled for the start of school on Tuesday. Lieutenant Simmons advised we will have Officers present at all the schools on the first day. Chief Adams advised we do have day shift Officers scheduled at each of the schools as well. Ed advised he was more concerned with the traffic situation and was advised Officers will be there before the start of school, at the end of the school day, and during the day. Dennis Lintz advised he filed a grievance on April 1, 2014, and it has never been answered, and has also filed a status check on the answer to that grievance, but has not received an answer. Mr. Lintz advised he was licensed as a professional investigator for a number of years and there have been a number of things occurring as of late raising concern. Chairman Clement inquired of the initial complaint and Mr. Lintz advised he did not bring the initial complaint with him, but advised the Commission received a copy. Chairman Clement inquired if Mr. Lintz followed the process as indicated in their response. Chief Adams advised we have a process in place as far as filing a complaint and if a complaint is to be filed against a Police Officer, it starts with the Supervisor. Chairman Clement advised Mr. Lintz that he is to come up with a process and follow it. Mr. Lintz inquired if he can have an Attorney present, and was advised that is fine. Chairman Clement inquired if the process was followed and Mr. Lintz advised that he did. Mr. Lintz inquired if the Police were going after him and discussed changes in the Court process. Mr. Lintz asked how much informants are paid and Chairman Clement asked Mr. Lintz if he was insinuating the Police Department is paying criminals. Mr. Lintz expressed concern with regard to informants being responsible for some of the deaths in the City and noted he has witnessed people leaving a drug dealer residence. Mr. Lintz was advised, once again, to file a complaint with the Watch Supervisor on duty. 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 3:40 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms