Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2014 PRESENT: Chairman Warren C. Clement, Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Alfred J. Lessard, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, and Prosecutor James A. Sawyer EXCUSED: Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, and Administrative Assistant Deborah M. Simkins GUESTS: Ed Pierce, Gail Ober, Sergeant Dennis Ashley, Officer Kevin Shortt and 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. The Commission welcomed back Captain Matthew Canfield and congratulated him on his Graduation from the FBI National Academy. ITEM #1A Commendations & Awards. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM# 1B Training. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Captain Canfield advised there was an article and photograph regarding the 911 Memorial Service held in the front of the Police Department, a fundraiser we participated in with regard to “Tip a Cop” and spreading awareness for New Hampshire Law Enforcement and Special Olympics, information regarding the Hand’s Free Electronic Device Law going into effect on July 1, 2015, and our participation in a job fair at the Southern New Hampshire University, represented by Detective Daniel Carsen and Officer Eric Adams. Chairman Clement inquired of the plans with regard to getting the word out regarding Hand’s Free Electronic Device Law. Captain Canfield advised Sergeant Finogle has started working on this 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 – Sergeant Christopher R.A. Noyes. Captain Canfield advised the promotion process for the position of Sergeant was just completed and the Chief recommended Detective Noyes be promoted to this position. Chairman Clement entertained a motion that based on the recommendation Detective Noyes be promoted to the position of Sergeant, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Laconia Police Commission October 16, 2014, Minutes Page 2 ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Canfield advised on September 27, 2014, we participated in the drug take-back program and reported a total weight of 307.7 lbs., the majority of which are prescription drugs. Captain Canfield advised Budget Work Sessions will begin as the budget needs to be presented to City Hall by December 1, 2014. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised we are getting ready for the Christmas Parade coming up next month and things are steady. Lieutenant Simmons advised we are still participating in the radio shows and the Accident Reduction Problem Oriented Policing Project aired yesterday on WEMJ. 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 September 18, 2014, Minutes, and September 18, 2014, Non-Public Session Minutes. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the minutes as presented, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, 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. Chairman Clement asked for clarification with regard to Intimidation and was advised this is Criminal Threatening. Commissioner Maheux noted a significant increase in the shoplifting complaints. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. Chairman Clement noted a very good job with the budget. ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Lieutenant Simmons advised Officer Richard Bassett’s family had put together care packages for each Officer for “National Thank a Police Officer Day”. Chairman Clement noted a complaint received regarding the intersection of Gale Avenue and Winnicoash Street. Captain Canfield advised we are keeping an extra eye on this area regarding the failure of motorists to stop at the stop sign. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. Laconia Police Commission October 16, 2014, Minutes Page 3 ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Cards. Commissioner Whittum noted one individual had returned three separate cards for three separate dates. ITEM #7B Problem Orientated Policing (POP) Project – Accident Reduction. Sergeant Ashley advised this POP project was focusing on accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Sergeant Ashley advised bicyclists operate in a variety of patterns, not in complete compliance with the Laws and vary from little children to very experienced bicyclists. Sergeant Ashley advised as far as pedestrians, the crosswalks we have are limited and Laconia doesn’t have a specific J-Walking Law. Sergeant Ashley advised upon looking at some of the specifics from 2010 to 2014; 2010 was not a good year with twenty-four pedestrian accidents and ten bicyclists, and this year so far we have ten pedestrian accidents and four bicyclists. Sergeant Ashley advised we did have one fatality involving a wheelchair operator crossing the street, and the operator just did not see him. Sergeant Ashley advised there are also no specific laws regarding bicyclists riding on the sidewalks with the exception of Downtown Laconia. Sergeant Ashley advised these issues are not unique to Laconia, but people need to be made aware of the proper operation of bicycles and following the rules of the road. Sergeant Ashley advised we participated in the Bike Rodeo and noted children are much easier to train than adults, but handed out pamphlets with all the bicycle laws and regulations. Sergeant Ashley advised warnings have also been issued with regard to turning right on red while the pedestrian light is white. Sergeant Ashley advised the educational process is on-going for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as the operators of motor vehicles at crosswalks; specifically, that bicyclists should be moving with traffic and pedestrians should be walking against traffic. Discussion ensued relative to extending the length of the white crossing light. 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 November Meeting was scheduled for November 20, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Laconia Police Headquarters. ITEM #11 Other Business. Commissioner Maheux inquired of the D.A.R.E. Program and when graduations will be held. Captain Canfield advised they will be taking place in the middle of November. ITEM #12 Citizen Comments. Gail inquired if the Commission will be meeting in non-public session and if so, will be reconvening after. Chairman Clement advised there would be no non-public session. Mr. Lintz advised as far as the grievance procedures, he hasn’t been able to find them anywhere, including on the website. Captain Canfield advised it should be on the website and there were forms in the lobby with regard to filing a complaint. Lieutenant Simmons advised all you have to do is come into the lobby, walk up to the Dispatch window, and say, I’m here to file a complaint and I would like to speak with the Watch Supervisor. Laconia Police Commission October 16, 2014, Minutes Page 4 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 3:45 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms