Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 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 Richard E. Simmons, and Deborah M. Simkins EXCUSED: Lieutenant Allan L. Graton, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer GUESTS: Michael Kitch, Officer Megan M. Denutte, Officer Anna R. Brewer-Croteau, Officer Joseph M. Tucker, Dennis Lintz, Patricia Paquette, Bob Martin 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. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1B Training. Captain Clary advised we have an out-of-State school request for Dispatcher Amanda Mountford to attend a Stress Identification and Management class scheduled for December 4, 2014, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Discussion ensued relative to the importance of attendance to this class. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State school request, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Captain Clary advised there will be upcoming Taser Training as well and with the new Grant, all Officers will be issued Tasers. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised there was a feature story on Captain Canfield and his graduation from the FBI National Academy on September 19, 2014, an article with regard to Red Ribbon Week as a commitment to be drug free and affirm the continuation of drug-free education by wearing red ribbons, Lieutenant Lessard made the news, photographed with his two sons celebrating his retirement from service to the Community, and the recent promotions of Lieutenant Graton and Sergeant Noyes. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1E Hirings. Chief Adams advised we currently have three openings and the testing process will be held next month to fill these positions. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization – Officer Bryan L. Moynihan, Officer Anna R. Brewer- Laconia Police Commission November 20, 2014, Minutes Page 2 Croteau, Officer Megan M. Denutte, and Officer Joseph M. Tucker. Captain Clary advised Officer Moynihan, Officer Brewer-Croteau, Officer Denutte and Officer Tucker have completed their Probationary status, including attending the Academy and the Field Training Program. Chief Adams advised there is a lot of training involved and it does take a lot to make it through. Chief Adams presented Officer Brewer-Croteau, Officer Denutte, and Officer Tucker with their Serving Since pins and congratulated them on their success. Officer Moynihan was attending schooling and was unable to attend. ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Clary advised he has just finished putting the rough budget numbers together and would like to sit down with Chairman Clement to make sure the numbers are right and we are on the right track; meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. Captain Clary advised he just returned from the IACP Conference where he was afforded some good training (Grant Writing, Police Misconduct, Protecting Safety of Mental Well Being, Social Media and Best Practices) and also presented our Wellness Program, which was well received. Captain Clary advised the Detectives have been very busy and will be making a recommendation to replace Sergeant Noyes at the beginning of December. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised we are planning for the upcoming Parade and Christmas Village. Captain Canfield advised Sergeant Noyes has completed the Sergeant Training Program, is out on his own, and is assigned to midnights. 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 October 16, 2014, Minutes, and November 3, 2014, 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. Chief Adams advised we had 58 accidents in the month of October with twenty-one injuries reported, and the top two contributing factors are Unsafe Backing and Driver Inattention. Chief Adams advised effective July 1, 2015, there will be a hands-free law in effect which will hopefully help promote safer driving. Chief Adams advised we have tweeted and included information on Facebook for educational purposes regarding the change in the Law, the information has been sent to Laconia Links, and the State is advertising heavily too. 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 noted of a slight decrease in the number of Crimes Against Persons for the month of October, Crimes Against Property showing Laconia Police Commission November 20, 2014, Minutes Page 3 an increase of 52%, Crimes Against Society also showing an increase, and Group B Crimes increased by 35%. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. 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 Captain Clary had received a nice thank you for his participation in the wellness program, a thank you was received from a group of children who had a birthday party at the Police Station, thank you notes were sent to the New England Search and Rescue and Fish and Game for the assistance they provided in locating a missing person, a couple of Officers had coached a soccer team, a thank you from Genesis, a thank you from the University of New Hampshire Police for assistance we provided during Homecoming Weekend, and a thank you to Officer Cardinal for her participation in the VOICES Program. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised the majority of the report cards were A’s, with a couple of B’s. Chief Adams advised they are handed out at accident scenes, to the victims of criminal cases, and other calls for service. Chief Adams advised on occasion, we do receive a lower marking, but any time there is a lower rating, the individuals are contacted to inquire of the reasoning for the low grade. Chief Adams advised the percentage of returns on the report cards is low. ITEM #7B Woodland Heights School Thanksgiving Dinner. Chief Adams advised the turkey dinner will be served tomorrow at the Woodland Heights School by members of the Police Department. ITEM #7C Fitness Challenge. Captain Clary advised this is a five-week challenge through the month of December, individually based and not competitive, but is a way for people to stay healthy and fit during the holidays. Captain Clary advised this is open to all customers of the Interlocal Trust. Captain Clary advised our participation last time was over eighty percent. Commissioner Maheux inquired if this affects our insurance rates in any way, and was advised no, but having healthy employees does have its benefits. ITEM #7D Citizen’s Academy Graduation. Chief Adams advised eleven citizens graduated from the Citizen’s Academy and complimented Lieutenant Simmons and everyone else who volunteered their time to assist in the program for doing a great job. ITEM #7E Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Project – Mental Health. Lieutenant Simmons advised the Problem Oriented Policing Project with regard to Suicide Prevention/Mental Health is on-going and the people involved from this Agency are Lieutenant Graton, Officer Armstrong, Officer Bassett, and Dispatcher Dilorenzo. Lieutenant Simmons advised there was some initial training and then the group was composed which includes Father Marc. Lieutenant Simmons advised there are a lot of factors out of our control with Laconia Police Commission November 20, 2014, Minutes Page 4 regard to suicide, but it is more important to get the message out. The Lieutenant advised a Lesson Plan was prepared and sent to the big factories in towns to help eliminate some of the fears, to do welfare checks, put people in touch with services, and secure weapons during crisis situations. Lieutenant Simmons advised the team is also working on a video which will be on the Department website and will include some of the services we provide as well as other agencies that are available. Lieutenant Simmons advised there was a Suicide Prevention Conference held on November 7, 2014, and within a couple of months the video will be ready and there will also be a presentation with other agencies here. Lieutenant Simmons advised we will also be reaching out to Kiwanis, Lions Club, and other organizations as well as industries to see if they can include a link to the video on their websites. ITEM #8 Old Business. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #9 New Business. Chief Adams advised we are also in the midst of D.A.R.E. Graduations, Officer Cardinal is doing an outstanding job, and it is always a joy to see the students receive their certificates and prizes for best poster and essay. ITEM #10 Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting. The December Meeting was scheduled for December 18, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Laconia Police Headquarters. ITEM #11 Other Business – Annual City Christmas Luncheon (December 12, 2014). ITEM #12 Citizen Comments. Dennis Lintz advised he noted the other day that the website now includes the information on how to file a complaint. Chief Adams advised within a couple of weeks, the website will be updated and more user friendly. Mr. Lintz inquired if we offer a discount for copies of reports for Veterans and was advised the price is set by City Hall, which we do not have control over. Mr. Lintz inquired about the approving officer’s signature on an incident report and was advised reports are approved electronically now. Mr. Lintz expressed concern with regard to the way a report had been written; indicating the report being inaccurate. Chairman Clement advised Mr. Lintz that if he wished to file a complaint, he needed to follow the proper procedure. 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 3:45p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms