Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 19, 2015 PRESENT: Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Allan L. Graton, Prosecutor James A. Sawyer, and Deborah M. Simkins EXCUSED: Chairman Warren C. Clement, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons GUESTS: Bob Martin, Michael Kitch, Dennis Lintz Commissioner Maheux called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Captain Clary 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. Lieutenant Graton advised Dispatcher Smith will be attending an Active Shooter for Dispatchers training course in Conway and upon his return, distribute information learned to the other Dispatchers for these types of situations. Lieutenant Graton advised Search Warrant training is being offered in Concord as sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office as well as Suicide Prevention training at the Franklin Hospital, and Officers are also doing active shooter training. ITEM #1C Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised there was an article with regard to the Officers bi-annual recertification in the use and application of Defensive Tactics Training which was held in the multi-purpose room at the Laconia Middle School and a reminder in reference to warm weather approaching and Bicycle Laws and Safety Tips. ITEM #1D Resignations/Retirement – Officer Shawn P. Hussey. Chief Adams advised that Officer Shawn Hussey, one of our newest Officers, submitted his resignation after four weeks due to a personal family decision. ITEM #1E Hirings. Commissioner Maheux inquired if we have a list of potential candidates to choose from. Chief Adams advised we are waiting to see if the City Council fully funds Officer Adams’ position before going forward and hiring, but we do have a pool of candidates available. ITEM #1F Promotions/Reorganization. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #2A Support Division. Captain Clary advised on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, we will be starting interviews for the joint Animal Control Officer position who will be a Laconia Laconia Police Commission March 19, 2015, Minutes Page 2 employee, but there will be Memos of Understanding and all departments will share the costs of the position. Captain Clary advised the Budget looks okay and one of the benchmarks for the safety board was to cut the number of non-moving objects struck in half; it should be noted there were eight last year and to date, we have zero. Captain Clary advised there was also discussion with regard to slip and falls and to date, we have had two, which is a good number, and as far as exposures, we have had none. Captain Clary advised an exposure is usually a body fluid for us and we are happy with what we are doing so far. ITEM #2B Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised Officer Cardinal has been working with the Middle School in preparation for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program which is tentatively scheduled for the first two weeks in June, finishing just before Bike Week. Captain Canfield advised the Bike Rodeo will again be held this year in conjunction with Kiwanis. Commissioner Maheux inquired what is done with any remaining funding from Motorcycle Week and Captain Clary advised if there are any funds left, the money to purchase needed equipment. ITEM #2C Legal Division. Prosecutor Sawyer advised he has been attending meetings regarding Compliance Court which has been going on now for about six months and is becoming more formalized by keeping track of people through evaluations and as of this point has cost very little. ITEM #3 Orders and Bulletins. There was no discussion with regard to this Agenda Item. ITEM #4 Approval of February 19, 2015, Minutes and February 19, 2015, Non-Public Session Minutes. Commissioner Maheux 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. Chief Adams advised there were a number of accidents with the major contributing factor being skidding. 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 there was a slight increase regarding crimes against persons and a larger increase in crimes against society. The Chief advised the Willful Concealment shows a significant increase as a result of complaints received from Walmart. Chief Adams advised Crimes Against Society was up significantly, including the Drug/Narcotic Violations. Chief Adams advised we have also seen an increase in DWI apprehension. ITEM #5E Budget Print-Out. Captain Clary advised we are going to be okay and as we are getting down to the last quarter, we are paying more attention to purchases being made. Chief Laconia Police Commission March 19, 2015, Minutes Page 3 Adams advised the budget will be presented on June 1, 2015, and after meeting with City Manager Scott Myers a few times, it appears we are on the same page. 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 an Officer was on a call and someone had left a placard on the cruiser thanking Police Officers. The Chief advised with a lot of negative stories about Law Enforcement throughout the nation, it is nice to see a positive note and reinforcement, as well as support from the community. Chief Adams advised a thank you was received from the University of New Hampshire for our assistance during the Super Bowl festivities. The Chief advised Officer Orton had received a thank you as a result of an investigation he conducted at the Village of Winnipesaukee and Officer Lessard received a thank you for assistance he provided in moving a TV. ITEM #7 Chief’s Report and Requests for Commission Action. ITEM #7A Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised the report cards were all A’s and B’s with the exception of one which was C’s and D’s. The Chief advised he has made attempts to contact this individual, but has been unsuccessful. The Chief advised this was a motor vehicle accident, but does not know the reasons for the poor rating. ITEM #7B Winni Dip. Chief Adams advised the Winni Dip was held this past weekend at the Margate, and the Police Department was represented by a team of ten, raising just over $4,000. Chief Adams advised it was a Disney Theme and we were Toy Story, we took the plunge, it was cold, but this is a very worthy cause for New Hampshire Special Olympics. ITEM #7C Alternative Treatment Centers. Chief Adams advised the City has finalized the restrictions as to where the Alternative Treatment Centers can be located in the City which is in the industrial areas for Marijuana dispensaries; O’Shea Industrial Park, Artisan Court and a small area off of Water Street. Chief Adams advised there are fifty- two pages of regulations that have been established by the State for the dispensaries, and the City has adopted most of those regulations as well as adding a few more. 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 April Meeting was scheduled for April 16, 2015, 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. Dennis Lintz inquired if some people may be afraid to come forward to the Police to talk to them. Dennis inquired why there was an additional category Laconia Police Commission March 19, 2015, Minutes Page 4 added to the Crime Comparison Report and he is just trying to understand the numbers. Chief Adams advised these documents update themselves by how reporting changes and how they are categorized. Chief Adams suggested Dennis look on the website as the numbers are more accurate. Discussion ensued relative to the input of information and how is it recorded in the program. Chief Adams advised these are reported crimes in the community and some of them lead to arrests. Chief Adams advised he believes we over report if anything as compared to other communities. Bob Martin inquired about the schools budget proposal and a security system which will allow the Department to monitor this system. Chief Adams advised that camera surveillance systems are beneficial to the Department, whether monitoring live or being able to review at a later date to help us in the course of our duties. Prosecutor Sawyer advised it also acts as a deterrent. Captain Clary advised the school currently has four different systems and it is believed they would like to coordinate them to make it less cumbersome. Bob Martin advised last year during the budget presentation, there was discussion regarding additional cameras. Captain Clary advised we purchased a remote camera, but again the problem we have is compatibility. Chief Adams advised the Council had voiced several months ago about purchasing cameras for the City as well as replacing the cameras in the parking garage. ITEM #13 Non-Public Session. On a motion by Commissioner Whittum, 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 at 3:33 p.m. At 3:40 p.m., the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, with a unanimous vote to maintain the Minutes as confidential, in accordance with RSA 91:A:3, III. Commissioner Maheux entertained a motion to seal the minutes, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. Commissioner Maheux entertained a motion to approve the one day suspension without pay and the charge reduced from a Class III Offense to a Class II Offense, moved by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously at 3:40 p.m. _______________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms