Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MAY 21, 2015 CONFERENCE ROOM #200A, CITY HALL 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Warren C. Clement called the meeting to order. RECORDING SECRETARY: Deborah M. Simkins, Administrative Assistant SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Chairman Clement led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Chairman Warren C. Clement, Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux STAFF PRESENT: Captain William F. Clary and Lieutenant Allan L. Graton Chairman Clement stated there are three (3) members present and a quorum is established. I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations & Awards B. Training. Lieutenant Graton advised Detective Kendra Neri and Detective Daniel Carsen have been invited to attend “Identifying Deceptive Behavior” training at no cost to the Department from June 24, 2015, to June 26, 2015, in Andover, Massachusetts. Lieutenant Graton advised as this is out-of-State training, approval of the training will be needed by the Commission under Section VIII, Commission Action. Lieutenant Graton advised Officer Eric Adams would like to attend the 46th Annual New England School of Addiction Studies and the 15th Annual School of Prevention Studies for Officer Eric Adams in Worcester, Massachusetts. Lieutenant Graton advised the cost of the training will be paid by Stand Up Laconia and there will be no cost to the Department. Lieutenant Graton advised as this is out-of-State training, it will require the approval of the Commission under Commission Action. Lieutenant Graton advised Officer Michelle Cardinal will be attending the Annual New Hampshire D.A.R.E. Training Conference, again at not cost to the Department as Officer Cardinal is on the Board of Directors for D.A.R.E. Commissioner Maheux inquired of the possibility of Officers reporting back to the Commission following training received. Lieutenant Graton advised some times schedules do not allow, but an effort can be made. C. Miscellaneous Laconia Police Commission May 21, 2015, Minutes Page 2 of 4 i. Laconia Links – Chairman Clement noted an article regarding the “Hands Free” Law which will go into effect on July 1, 2015. Captain Clary advised we changed our in-house Policy effective January 1, 2015. D. Resignations/Retirement E. Hirings i. Lieutenant Graton introduced Animal Control Officer Michele King to the Commission. ACO King advised she is honored to be a part of the Department as she has so much respect for this Department. Captain Clary advised this is a joint venture with the Belmont Police Department and the Gilford Police Department to share the cost of this position. Captain Clary advised we are hoping this will work with the three jurisdictions and even though it is a part-time position of twenty-four, depending on funding, may be increased to a thirty hour position. Captain Clary advised Michele will be working through our Supervisor when on duty, but will respond to calls in Gilford and Belmont as needed. Captain Clary advised she will also be following up on dog licensing, rabies vaccinations, dog bites, dog nuisance calls, etc. Ann Kaligian swore Michele in as Animal Control Officer. II. Division Commander’s Forum A. Support Division. Captain Clary advised the Detectives have been very busy and made reference to articles in the paper regarding the lull in overdoses. Captain Clary advised there has been a decline in the number of overdoses we have responded, but as of the beginning of the year, we have responded to five deaths that possibly could be defined as overdoses; one was not a drug overdose. Captain Clary advised we investigated this incident as it could have been an overdose, but it was as a result of Pneumonia. Captain Clary advised three of the deaths were as a result of Cocaine, Fentanyl and Heroin. Captain Clary advised we are here today as the Community Room is occupied, but we have been offered to use this room monthly and feel as this is a formal setting, would be perhaps a better place to hold our meetings. Captain Clary advised the City is moving towards videotaping all meetings to be streamed live. Captain Clary advised the Chief is in support of moving the meetings here as well. The Commission had no objection to holding the meetings at City Hall. B. Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised we are moving forward with Motorcycle Week Planning, but there have been some struggles with scheduling issues. C. Legal Division III. Orders and Bulletins Laconia Police Commission May 21, 2015, Minutes Page 3 of 4 IV. Approval of April 16, 2015, Minutes. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights – Chairman Clement noted an increase in the number of DWI arrests and a decrease in the number of Protective Custody Arrests. B. Monthly Fleet Report C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics E. Budget Print-Out – Captain Clary advised we will be presenting the Budget on June 1, 2015. Captain Clary advised the cost of the Server came in over what was expected, but there is funding available. Captain Clary advised the Server is being built and will be installed after Motorcycle Week. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics VI. Correspondence to and from the Department VII. Chief’s Report and Requests A. Performance Assessment Cards – Captain Clary noted all A’s on the report cards received. B. Uniformity of Minutes – Captain Clary advised all Departments have been asked by the City to present Minutes in the same format. Captain Clary advised as a result, all Commission Action will be taken at the same time and all voted will be recorded accordingly. Captain Clary advised there are a few changes with regard to doing business and will include a Roll Call Vote as well and the Chairman noting there is a quorum present for purposes of taking action. VIII. Commission Action – Lieutenant Graton requested the approval of the out-of-State school for Detective Neri and Detective Carsen for Identifying Deceptive Behavior. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State school request, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Lieutenant Graton requested the approval of the out-of-State school for Officer Adams for the 46th Annual New England School of Addiction Studies and the 15th Annual School of Prevention Studies. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State school request, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commission Whittum, and passed unanimously. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the Minutes of the April 16, 2015, Meeting of the Laconia Police Commission, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. Laconia Police Commission May 21, 2015, Minutes Page 4 of 4 IX. Old Business X. New Business XI. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – June 18, 2015 (Motorcycle Week). Discussion ensued relative to the meeting being scheduled during Motorcycle Week. A unanimous decision was made to hold the meeting one week later on June 25, 2015, in Conference Room #200A at Laconia City Hall, 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia. XII. Other Business XIII. Citizen Comments – Dennis Lintz inquired about the training Officers are received relative to gangs. Lieutenant Graton advised the training is in reference to Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs as there are many different gangs located throughout the Country and the purpose of the training is to provide assistance in recognizing members by their tattoos, colors, etc. D. Lintz advised a lot of gang members are involved in other crimes; such as the destruction of property as well as assaults. Lieutenant Graton advised this training is focused on identify major gang members through tagging and locating their hang-outs. D. Lintz advised he doesn’t understand why some of these people are free even after they have damaged other people’s property and some of them are known, but they just keep rolling along. Mike Gagnon, Laconia, inquired about the Pumpkin Festival and what we can look for from the community in terms of assistance. Captain Clary advised we have had some preliminary discussions with regard to what it might cost to police such an event and the numbers expected to attend with the City of Keene. Captain Clary advised we have not yet put an operation plan together, but one of the major concerns will be parking issues. XIV. Non-Public Session 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 3:40p.m. ___________________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms