Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Warren C. Clement, Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, Lieutenant Alfred J. Lessard, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer, and Deborah M. Simkins EXCUSED: Captain Matthew J. Canfield GUESTS: Ed Pierce, 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. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1A Commendations & Awards. The Laconia Police Department was presented with a token of appreciation from a Concord Church Group in honor of Officer Appreciation Day. ITEM #1B Training – Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Conference, Accreditation Manager Robin C. Moyer. Lieutenant Lessard advised it is important that specialized training be attended per CALEA as well as being given the opportunity to meet our Regional Program Coordinator as he oversees the Department during the Re-Accreditation Process. Lieutenant Lessard advised it is beneficial for Robin to attend classes to help get her started and to make sure everything is in compliance for the management of files and timely sensitivity. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State school which is to be held in New Mexico in November, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Lieutenant Lessard advised there are approximately twenty-five classes being held at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Facility during the fall and winter months that we are scheduling as part of our continuing education process. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised the Tom Mullen Golf Tournament was a great success with the Bank of New Hampshire being our gold sponsor and Harley Davidson as a silver sponsor; and approximately $5,000 in profits to be used for D.A.R.E. Chief Adams advised there was an article with regard to Officer Schilling’s graduation from the Academy. Lieutenant Simmons advised the Citizen Academy had its first class this last Tuesday night, with eleven students and it is a really good class. Chief Adams advised the Citizen’s Academy class is a way to let the community know what the Police Department is about and what challenges we face every day. Chief Adams Laconia Police Commission September 18, 2014, Minutes Page 2 advised we also had an article with regard to School Public Safety for the opening of the school season. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement – Officer Patrick M. Lyons and Lieutenant Alfred J. Lessard. Chief Adams advised Officer Lyons was with the Department for a little under two years and accepted his resignation with regret as Patrick continues his career with the Boston University. Chief Adams advised Lieutenant Lessard is retiring, has done great work with the Police Department and he will be sadly missed. The Commission wished Lieutenant Lessard the best during his retirement years, expressed appreciation for time served as well as his dedication to the job, and reiterated that he will be missed. ITEM #1E Hirings. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization – Officer Kevin W. Shortt and Officer Kendra L. Neri (Master Patrol Officers), and Officer Eric S. Adams (Prevention Enforcement and Treatment Coordinator). Chief Adams advised after seven years, Officers are afforded the opportunity to test for the Master Patrol Officer position. Chief Adams advised Officer Shortt and Officer Neri recently passed the test and have been promoted to the position of Master Patrol Officer. The Commission congratulated Officer Shortt and Officer Neri on their promotions. Chief Adams advised we have been putting together the Prevention Enforcement and Treatment Coordinator (PET) position and Officer Eric Adams will be taking over that position. Chief Adams advised Eric has a very interesting perspective as he was formally in Corrections and a member of the Drug Task Force. The Chief advised one of his first tasks will be meeting with organizations throughout the community. The Commission congratulated Officer Adams. ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Clary advised he presented our wellness program at a meeting in Arizona which was well received. The Captain advised there was a very large group there and one of the Board Members was also present. Captain Clary advised he will be presenting at the IACP Conference as well. Captain Clary advised ten people have recently been indicted for drug charges, have confiscated $1,300 in cash, and there are fifteen Warrants pending so we will be doing another round-up in the next month or so. The Captain advised next Tuesday we will have our CIP Presentation and are only asking for three cars. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Lieutenant Simmons advised the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Projects are moving forward and open mike just presented with the Suicide Prevention Project along with the Partnership for Public Health. Lieutenant Simmons advised the Homecoming Parade and football game is tomorrow and the WOW Festival is scheduled for September 27, 2014, and CERT will be helping with traffic. Lieutenant Simmons advised we will be going to 911 On October 8, 2014, as we do every year to assist with classes. Laconia Police Commission September 18, 2014, Minutes Page 3 ITEM #2C Legal Division. Prosecutor Sawyer advised he will be presenting at the Huot Technical Center tomorrow on “What a Lawyer Does” and will also be meeting with Judges in the near future to discuss ways to open up with some of the providers in our community regarding mental illness. The Prosecutor advised a large number of our clients are in need of this kind of assistance. ITEM #3 Orders and Bulletins. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #4 Approval of August 19, 2014, Non-Public Session Minutes, August 21, 2014, Minutes, and September 4, 2014, Non-Public Session 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 use and importance of the box truck and was advised it is used for training purposes and during Motorcycle Week. 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 at the last meeting we had predicted an increase in the shoplifting statistics due to the change of the Walmart store configuration which has come to fruition. Chief Adams advised we also have significant issues with intoxicated individuals and some of these include repeat offenders. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chief Adams advised there was a decrease in the number of accidents as compared to the same month last year; with the majority being for driver inattention and unsafe backing. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised Officer Callanan had assisted in the Cadet Police Academy and received a thank you for her participation. Chief Adams advised there was an incident at Meadowbrook and disappointment with regard to the lack of assistance provided. Chief Adams advised there was also a thank you from an individual who had been in the Citizen’s Academy in 2012. Chief Adams advised Up With People was a great success and we received a thank you for the help we provided. The Chief advised we also received correspondence suggesting headlights be on when it is raining and an immediate Roll Call training was done to address this concern. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised there were seventeen Laconia Police Commission September 18, 2014, Minutes Page 4 report cards received with nothing less than an A, which is very impressive. ITEM #7B Problem Orientated Policing (POP) Project – Underage Drinking. Officer Horan advised a big part of this project has focused on educating children and adults on what underage drinking does to our community, what some of the negative consequences are and what is our reaction as Law Enforcement in such situations. In the last twelve months, there has been coordinating with Stand-Up Laconia and a few members of this project have attended several Stand-Up Laconia meetings. At one meeting there was talk about the High School’s Chem Free party which is an alternative for kids to go and is alcohol and drug free. Officer Horan advised we have been able to obtain some underage drinking posters from the Liquor Commission and we are working to get those distributed to local businesses throughout the community. Sergeant Finogle and SRO Orton presented at a substance abuse meeting and Sergeant Finogle was on open mike discussing this project. Officer Horan advised there is also a State Grant which gives us the opportunity to put Officers on patrol to focus on underage drinking and this is still a very active project as we continue to educate our students and our community. ITEM #7C 911 Memorial Service. Chief Adams advised there was a Memorial Service held on September 11 in the front of the Police Station in honor of those who perished on 911. ITEM #8 Old Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #9 New Business. Captain Canfield will be graduating from the FBI Academy next week. ITEM #10 Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting. The October Meeting was scheduled for October 16, 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 Pierce inquired of the assistance provided to the U.S. Marshal in the apprehension of Christopher Stevens. Captain Clary advised we provided information which was the extent of our involvement in the apprehension. Mr. Lintz was recognized by the Commission, wishing to comment regarding the status of the complaint he had filed. Chairman Clement inquired from Mr. Lintz if he had followed the procedure as explained during the last meeting. Chairman Clement advised Mr. Lintz that we have been nothing but courteous and provided the proper policy and procedure with regard to filing an initial complaint; specifically, to speak with the Watch Supervisor on duty. Chairman Clement suggested that Mr. Lintz speak with a Supervisor to file his initial complaint and get this started so we can discuss it further at future meetings. ITEM #13 Non-Public Session. On a motion by Chairman Clement, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (a), the Laconia Police Commission entered into Non-Public Session Laconia Police Commission September 18, 2014, Minutes Page 5 at 3:50 p.m. At 4:15 p.m., the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner , seconded by Commissioner , with a unanimous vote to maintain the Minutes as confidential, in accordance with RSA 91:A:3, III. Moved to return to public session at 4:15 p.m., moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve Sergeants being eligible to accrue 80 hours of compensation time and Dispatchers and Secretaries to remain at a maximum of 50 hours of accrued time, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Chairman Clement entertained a motion that any employee hired after July 1, 2014, would be eligible for only 50% of their accrued sick time upon termination, retirement, or death, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. Chairman Clement entertained a motion for full-time sworn officers to mirror the language in the Contract as presented with regard to annual leave, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the shift differential of $.80 per hour for A Watch and $.60 per hour for C Watch for Sergeants and $.40 per hour for A Watch and $.30 per hour for C Watch for Dispatchers, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, Chairman Clement opposed. 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 4:15 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms