Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION JUNE 25, 2015 CONFERENCE ROOM #200A, CITY HALL 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Maheux called the meeting to order. RECORDING SECRETARY: Deborah M. Simkins, Administrative Assistant SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Councilor Ava Doyle led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux STAFF PRESENT: Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain Mathew J. Canfield, Captain William F. Clary, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, and Lieutenant Allan L. Graton Commissioner Maheux stated there are two (2) members present (Chairman Clement was not present at the beginning of the meeting, but arrived shortly thereafter) and a quorum is established. I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations & Awards – Chief Christopher A. Adams. The Commission presented Chief Adams with a Certificate of Graduation from Leadership Lakes Region. Chief Adams joined the ranks of 265 other Lakes Region professionals who have successfully completed this program. Congratulations Chief Adams. B. Training. Lieutenant Graton advised Captain Canfield attended the FBI National Academy Retrainer in May, and Detective Neri will be attending a seminar regarding Knock and Talk in July, 2015. C. Miscellaneous i. Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised members attended the Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony in Concord, representing Officer Charles Dolloff who was a former Laconia Police Officer and who lost his life in the line of duty. Chief Adams advised there was an article reminding drivers not to park on the sidewalks as well as containing information on the Hands Free Law which will take effect on July 1, 2015. Chief Adams advised this is to remind people they are no longer to use their cell phones and will need a hands free device. D. Resignations/Retirement – Chief Adams advised Lieutenant Lessard is officially retired and he will be driving to South Carolina on Sunday with his family. Again, Laconia Police Commission June 25, 2015, Minutes Page 2 of 5 the Chief expressed appreciation to Lieutenant Lessard for his dedication and commitment to his job and the citizens of Laconia. E. Hiring’s II. Division Commander’s Forum A. Support Division. Captain Clary advised there was an article in the newspaper recently regarding Animal Control Officer Michelle King who is a very independent worker which is beneficial to our Officers and Supervisors. Captain Clary advised Michelle is up and running and doing a very good job. Captain Clary advised the Community Resource Officers are working and performing parking enforcement Downtown as well as in the Weirs. Captain Clary advised our Wellness Program was recently recognized with a photograph of the Chief running on the treadmill. Captain Clary advised the Detectives are back to their regular schedules following Motorcycle Week. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the Animal Control position and was advised when calls are received through our Dispatch, she is dispatched to the jurisdiction as needed. B. Operations Division. Captain Canfield advised National Night Out will be on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, but no location has been set. Commissioner Maheux advised he was in the Weirs during Motorcycle Week and heard nothing but good compliments about the Department. C. Legal Division. Prosecutor Sawyer advised Felonies will now be filed directly to the Superior Court instead of first to District Court and we are the third County to come on line with this, with a projected date of July 1, 2016. Prosecutor Sawyer advised he is working on a committee with regard to how Complaints are filed, and there will be big changes coming within the Court System very shortly. III. Orders and Bulletins IV. Review of May 21, 2015, Minutes. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights B. Monthly Fleet Report. Chairman Clement inquired about Car #5. Captain Clary advised this is one of our older cars and has high mileage. C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics E. Budget Print-Out Laconia Police Commission June 25, 2015, Minutes Page 3 of 5 F. Monthly Traffic Statistics VI. Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised there were many thank yous received which were all positive. Chief Adams advised there was a thank you from Principal McCollum sent to Officer Orton for his participation in the Third Annual Chem Free After Prom Party, a thank you for our participation in the Laconia Kiwanis Bike Rodeo, thank you for sponsorship of a softball team, and a thank you for Chief Dean of the University of New Hampshire Police Department for the assistance we provided during a number of their events. VII. Chief’s Report and Requests. Chief Adams advised we had nine overdoses during Bike Week, which not necessarily associated with Bike Week, but this is of a concern to us. Chief Adams advised none of the overdoses were fatal and they were all administered Narcan and taken to the Hospital. Commissioner Whittum inquired about the cost for the Narcan and Chief Adams advised he does not know the cost. Councilor Baer advised the Hospital covers the cost for the Narcan. A. Performance Assessment Cards – Chief Adams advised all the report cards were straight A’s. B. Suicide Prevention Problem Oriented Policing – Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons. Lieutenant Simmons advised Dave Bouchard from Genesis Behavioral Health and Elaine Demello from the National Alliance on Mental Health have been invaluable in this project, along with Tammy Levesque and Father Marc, Lieutenant Graton, Officer Black, Officer Armstrong, Officer Bassett, and Dispatcher Dilorenzo. A short video was presented regarding assistance that is offered. Lieutenant Simmons advised there are services available to the community, including holding weapons for safekeeping which can later be returned, and it is important to let people know what is available. Lieutenant Simmons advised we would also like to reach out to Rotary and other organizations to help get the message out. C. Motorcycle Week 2015 Review – Chief Adams advised as far as law enforcement goes, M/C was a huge success with approximately 69 arrests during the nine-day event; many of those arrests happening Downtown. Chief advised last year we were around the 100 mark, so it has changed dramatically. There were three motorcycle accidents, but no fatalities during Motorcycle Week; only three accidents in nine days is amazing. Chief Adams expressed a thank you to the staff for working the long hours and their efforts. Chief Adams advised those in attendance were very friendly and only heard positive feed back about the Officers. Captain Clary advised we overspent on our out-of-town officers’ budget, but will finish in the positive by about $8,000. Captain Clary advised we have already cut back our schedule to a minimum and expect the out-of-town numbers to increase in the future. Commissioner Maheux inquired how much our costs go up for the out-of-town officers. Captain Clary advised we increase their rate of pay each year, but they are still about $17 an hour below their contracted detail rate. The Captain advised this is a problem as some of Laconia Police Commission June 25, 2015, Minutes Page 4 of 5 the Unions do not permit them to work below this rate. Chairman Clement inquired about the issue with Officers not being qualified to perform Intoxilyzer Tests. Chief Adams advised we did have one Officer, who is assigned to the Detective Unit, but this has been corrected. Prosecutor Sawyer advised there was a software issue which showed the Officer had answered a question correct which resulted in a pass when it was actually an incorrect answer and resulted in an inappropriate grade for the test. Lieutenant Graton advised right now the recertification is not being offered on line and Officers have to go to Concord to be recertified. Lieutenant Graton advised the new Officers are all certified and most all of our Patrol Officers are certified, but they do need to be recertified every year. VIII. Commission Action – Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the Minutes of the May 21, 2015, Meeting of the Laconia Police Commission, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. IX. Old Business X. New Business XI. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – July 16, 2015, to take place in Conference Room 200A, Laconia City Hall, 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia. XII. Other Business XIII. Citizen Comments – Dennis Lintz explained he understands why some of these things are happening and it is part of the grievance that was brought forward. D. Lintz advised he was a private detective for a number of years. Chairman Clement inquired if this is a report that was given to the Police Department. D. Lintz advised these records are available to the public. D. Lintz advised there should be a policy that Officers’ reports reflect positive facts. D. Lintz inquired why this is and how are Hate Crimes investigated in Laconia. Chairman Clement inquired if D. Lintz is ready to file a complaint and if so, to file a complaint. D. Lintz advised this is something for this Department to resolve and referred to a subject who overdosed on the same day as a fatal accident in the City of Laconia. D. Lintz advised he filed a complaint in 2011, however, that individual is now deceased. Chairman Clement suggested D. Lintz file a complaint and inquired if the reports he had requested were picked up. D. Lintz advised he has not picked up the reports he has requested. D. Lintz advised Laconia wants to have a similar Explorer Program to the Belmont Police Department. D. Lintz advised he is a victim and a survivor. XIV. Non-Public Session. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to enter into Non-Public Session, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux and passed unanimously at 3:45 p.m. Laconia Police Commission June 25, 2015, Minutes Page 5 of 5 At 4:00 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. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to seal the minutes, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously. Chairman Clement entertained a motion that Chief Adams receive a three percent merit raise, effective June 1, 2015, based on his evaluation and Captain Clary receive a three percent merit raise as he has not received an increase in several years, which will be effective July 1, 2015, 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 Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously at 4:00 p.m. ___________________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms