Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2015 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, Lieutenant Allan L. Graton, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer, and Deborah M. Simkins GUESTS: Chris Walsworth, Reagan & Josephine Walsworth, Jesse & Brett Holland, Kelly Hussey, Sara & William Carlson, Tommy Dawson, Alexander Benoit, Allan & Tina Benoit, Tim Cox, Joseph & Rita Pirrotta, Councilor Brenda Baer, Councilor Ava Doyle, Bob Martin, Gail Ober, Ann Kaligian, 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 – Doctor Richard Spead. Chief Adams advised Doctor Spead has been providing meals to our Officers and other Departments in the area for holidays for many years. The Chief advised we really appreciate this and do have a little gift for him to recognize his thoughtfulness. Chief Adams advised unfortunately he is not here today, but we will forward a token of our appreciation in the form of a gift certificate to his home. ITEM #1B Training – Lieutenant Graton advised we just finished our annual Defensive Tactics training and would like to thank the Laconia Middle School for hosting these training classes. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised we had an article on the 2014 Goals and Objectives as well as the new initiatives for 2015 and in particular “Coffee with a Cop”, the State 911 Texting Program and Human Trafficking Tips for Parents, as well as the Winni Dip scheduled to take place on March 14, at the Margate Resort Beach and includes the growth of facial hair as part of that event. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #1E Hirings – Chief Adams welcomed the new Officers. 1) Officer Richard M. Carlson. Lieutenant Graton advised Officer Carlson joins us from the Franklin Police Department, comes very highly recommended, and is a full- time certified New Hampshire Police Officer. Laconia Police Commission February 19, 2015, Minutes Page 2 2) Officer Erik A. Benoit. Lieutenant Graton advised Officer Benoit is a former Sanbornton Police Officer and Laconia Police Dispatcher. The Lieutenant advised after Erik left Laconia, he was hired by the Sanbornton Police Department as a Patrol Officer and is now a full-time certified New Hampshire Police Officer. 3) Officer Shawn P. Hussey. Lieutenant Graton advised that Officer Hussey was formerly employed with Rooney’s Welding and Fabrication and had served in the United States Army prior to that for six years, with a life-long goal to be a Police Officer. 4) Officer Judy L. Kosman-Walsworth. Lieutenant Graton advised that Officer Kosman-Walsworth received an Associates Degree, majoring in Criminal Justice, from the Mount Washington College in Manchester, New Hampshire, and has aspired to be a Police Officer since she was about eighteen years old. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the appointment of Patrol Officers for Officer Richard M. Carlson, Officer Erik A. Benoit, Officer Shawn P. Hussey, and Officer Judy L. Kosman-Walsworth, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. The Officers were all welcomed to the Department and congratulated on their appointments to the Police Force. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization – Chief Adams advised Detective Neri continues to do a good job with Detective Carsen. ITEM #2A Support Division – 1) BCI Drug Unit Report – 2014. Captain Clary advised in the course of the year, the amount and types of drugs seized and purchased during controlled buys is very wide range; twenty-nine subjects have been indicted, cash, jewelry, and a car have been recovered, and currently there are fifteen Warrants pending. Captain Clary advised after this year we will see a decline in seized property as we will have to complete a forfeiture form, but this will also reduce our funding for combating drugs. Captain Clary advised we used to get back about 65 percent of the value of seized property. Chairman Clement inquired about Heroin overdoses and why the number is so low as far as prosecution based on the high number we are experiencing. Captain Clary advised most of the time the scene has been cleaned up or there is nothing left when we arrive on the scene. 2) Use of Force Analysis – 2014. Captain Clary advised the numbers are close to the previous year and arrests are down. Captain Clary advised if one person is arrested and there are multiple uses of force, this would increase the number. The Captain advised there were only 49 individuals involved in use of force incidents out of the total number of arrests made. Commissioner Maheux asked if an Officer takes out his Taser, but doesn’t use it, is it included in the reporting. Captain Clary advised it is counted for statistical purposes. Captain Clary advised the breakdown was also done based on the shifts and one Officer had twenty uses of force which triggered an early Laconia Police Commission February 19, 2015, Minutes Page 3 warning signal on that Officer which has been addressed and determined the Officer was over-reporting. Captain Clary advised it is believed there are more reports than actual use of force, including for example an open hand, but we are trying to be consistent with our record keeping. 3) Attrition Summary – 2014. Captain Clary advised three Officers left in 2014; one for retirement and two to go to another agency. 4) Internal Affairs Summary – 2014. Captain Clary advised there were a total of nineteen IAI’s completed for 2014 which was a little higher than previous years, but shows we are holding our employees accountable. Captain Clary advised out of the nineteen IAI’s, six were unfounded, one was unsubstantiated, one received an oral reprimand, five letters of reprimand were issued, and there were six suspensions. The Captain advised we hold our employees to a very high standard and most IAI’s are originated by our employees. Chairman Clement inquired about the length of the suspensions and was advised they were one to two days and one was a repeat offender. Chairman Clement inquired about the time frame for the expungement of a Letter of Reprimand and was advised one year, Level II is four years, and Level III is seven years, which also includes good behavior since the last discipline. 5) Initial Personnel Complaint – 2014. Captain Clary advised we had fifty-five initial personnel complaints; ten were unfounded, five were unsubstantiated, sixteen resulted in an oral reprimand, eighteen letters of reprimand, six suspensions and fifteen were referred to an Internal Affairs Investigation. Captain Clary advised Reporting for Duty included three IPC’s, which is a relatively low number and also includes Court Appearances. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised the Main Street bridge project will be start up again on March 16, 2015, and will be shut off at Main Street, with southbound traffic only which will be drastically different. Captain Canfield advised we are working on the D.A.R.E. Program for the Middle School which will be a two-week program starting in March. Captain Canfield advised the Motorcycle Week Breakfast Briefing is scheduled for May 27, 2015, at the Taylor Community. ITEM #2C Legal Division. Prosecutor Sawyer advised the Legal Department is still very busy. ITEM #3 Orders and Bulletins. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #4 Approval of January 15, 2015, 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. Lieutenant Graton advised there were some minor repairs done to Laconia Police Commission February 19, 2015, Minutes Page 4 the Fleet and there was on accident involving a cruiser which was rear-ended. Captain Clary advised we have asked for two cars and one van. 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 the overdose calls continue to be a concern and we have had two fatal overdoses this year. Chief Adams advised that Officer Adams continues to do a great job in his position and he will soon be attending a roundtable discussion where more than likely the topic of the Heroin Epidemic will be discussed. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. Captain Clary advised there are a couple of line items that are close, but those are the smaller line items. ITEM #5F Monthly Traffic Statistics. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #6 Correspondence to and from the Department. Chairman Clement noted a certificate of appreciation received by Captain Canfield for his participation in the Greater Meredith Career Partnership Program. Chief Adams advised Officer Denutte received a thank-you from a person who participated in a Ride-Along, Sergeant Noyes received a note of appreciation for a tour he did of the Department, and Captain Canfield received a thank you for his donation to the Lakes Region Community Services Council. 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 and B’s, however, we did receive one with C’s and D’s, and he is looking into the reasoning for that. ITEM #7B 2015 Community Outreach Initiatives. Chief Adams advised we are progressing out of the Problem Orientated Policing (POP) Project phase and are coming up with “New Initiatives” for 2015. The Chief advised input was received from Staff and Officers, with one of the initiatives being to target the youth as a “Police Athletic League”. Chief Adams advised this will be a formal program to connect our Officers with the youth, perhaps starting with the Boys and Girls Club as they have a facility we can use. Chief Adams advised “Coffee with a Cop” would include having an open dialogue of just about anything. Chief Adams advised “Ward Hall Meetings” would include going to the different Wards in the City and bringing our community partners (welfare and civic organizations, etc.) to talk about the current issues and ways to help them get out of struggling situations. Chief Adams advised we would also benefit from the “Police Explorer Post” program and several Officers have expressed an interest in getting this program going with ten to twelve kids, and this is a great national program. Chief Adams advised the “Presence of Children” focuses on the physical and mental wellbeing of children during stressful and traumatic events. Chairman Clement advised if any Officers have been assigned to these programs yet and was advised no. Laconia Police Commission February 19, 2015, Minutes Page 5 ITEM #7C 2015 Goals and Objectives. Chief Adams advised Coffee with a Cop will include all Officers of the Department and the Police Athletic League has a great motto “it’s better to build a youth than mend an adult”. The Chief advised Physical Fitness is very important and we have been doing a really good job with the fitness challenges as these have tremendous benefits. Chief Adams advised he believes it will be beneficial to have discussions with the Belmont Police Department with regard to their Police Explorer Post to help get us started with this program. 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 March Meeting was scheduled for March 19, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Laconia Police Headquarters. ITEM #11 Other Business. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the interest in the Ride-Along Program and was advised we do have a lot of participation in this program. ITEM #12 Citizen Comments. Dennis Lintz inquired if it is the cutting materials causing the majority of the overdoses. Captain Clary advised we receive the toxicology reports which indicate the amount of Heroin that is ingested. Captain Clary advised when people hear Fentanyl; they assume it is cut into drugs, but everybody’s chemical make-up is different so the drugs affect people differently. Dennis inquired about the assessment cards and what the A is actually in. Dennis inquired who came up with the format for our patrol activity report and noted they change from month-to-month. Chief Adams advised they do change based on the reporting of an offense. Gail Ober inquired about the four kidnappings that were reported in January. Chief Adams advised this may have been a criminal restraint situation. Gail advised some of the people who attended the Stand-Up Laconia were former drug users and they believe that Middle School is too late for D.A.R.E. Chief Adams advised D.A.R.E. is taught in the Elementary Schools initially. Dennis inquired about the personnel complaints and if the majority of those were from outside complaints or internal. Chief Adams advised the majority of those are generated internally. Captain Clary advised out of fifty-five complaints against Officers, eleven were external complaints. 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 3:55p.m. At 4:03 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. Laconia Police Commission February 19, 2015, Minutes Page 6 Chairman Clement entertained a motion to seal the minutes, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. 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 4:03 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms