Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION AUGUST 20, 2015, MINUTES CONFERENCE ROOM #200A, LACONIA CITY HALL 45 BEACON STREET EAST, LACONIA, NH - 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 CHAIRMAN CLEMENT RECOGNIZES STAFF PRESENT – Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, Captain Mathew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, and Lieutenant Allan L. Graton Chairman Clement stated there are three (3) members of the Commission present and a quorum is established I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations and Awards – Chairman Clement advised a letter was received from Senator Jeanne Shaheen informing the Department that we are the recipients of the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Award in the “Unit Citation” category. Chairman Clement advised the award is as a result of the tremendous courage that was displayed by Officers of the Department during the events of October 8, 2014, when responding to the rioters in Keene. Chairman Clement advised the Awards Ceremony will take place on October 6, 2015, at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council at 6:00 p.m. B. Training – Chairman Clement recognized Lieutenant Graton. Lieutenant Graton advised we will be co-hosting training with Homeland Security at the end of this month at the Concord Fire Academy and have three Supervisors and six Patrolmen attending. Commissioner Maheux asked if it would be possible for Officers to report back to the Commission following any training they are receiving. Chief Adams advised all the General Orders give a synopsis of the training that is provided. Commissioner Maheux advised it would be preferred that the Officer update the Commission on the training received rather than read the information provided in a synopsis. Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 20, 2015 Page 2 C. Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams advised National Nite Out was a huge success and following a lightning storm resulting in a slow start, there were approximately two hundred people who attended along with a number of community partners who were present. Chief Adams advised Coffee with a Cop was held at the Taylor Home and there were approximately two dozen attendees. The Chief stated it ran for about an hour and was well received. Chief Adams advised the Department recently hosted the AARP Safe Driving Program which took place yesterday and there were ten students present. The Chief advised the Citizen Police Academy will be starting on September 16th and reiterated the benefits of the program to those who attend. The Chief advised the Thomas Mullen Golf Tournament is scheduled for September 11th, with proceeds of this event going to the D.A.R.E. Program and the Laconia Police Relief Association. D. Resignations/Retirement – No Discussion E. Hirings – No Discussion F. Promotions/Reorganization – No Discussion II. Division Commander’s Forum A. Support Division – Chairman Clement recognized Captain Clary. Captain Clary advised we are happy with the Animal Control Officer and recently met with members of the Gilford and Belmont Police Departments who are extremely pleased with the way this is working out and her work productivity. Captain Clary advised during the recent drug arrest sweep we arrested twenty-five people. The Captain advised the Detectives responded to duty early and worked in conjunction with the Patrol Division. Captain Clary extended a thank you to Captain Canfield and the Patrol Division for changing their schedules to accommodate the process and noted this to be a very good cooperative effort with both Divisions. Captain Clary advised we are meeting with the City Clerk in reference to records retention as well as following Robert’s Rules, but we are not alone in this as all Departments are following suit. B. Operations Division – Chairman Clement recognized Captain Canfield. Captain Canfield advised we are transitioning into the fall schedule and Lieutenant Simmons is finalizing plans for the D.A.R.E. Program in the Fall in the Elementary School and for January in the Middle School. The Captain advised special events in the fall also include Multicultural Day, the Reach the Beach Relay, and the Pumpkin Fest. Captain Canfield advised there will also be continuing active shooter training. Commissioner Maheux inquired if any of the Community Resource Officers will be staying beyond Labor Day and Captain Clary advised one has his Master’s degree and we may try to keep him on for a day or two a week. Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 20, 2015 Page 3 C. Legal Division – Chairman Clement recognized Prosecutor Sawyer. Prosecutor Sawyer advised he is continuing to coordinate with the Court System with regard to the changes being made; in particular, Felony First, and noted this will change how we prepare cases and how quickly we will be going from arrests to dispositions. III. Orders and Bulletins – No Discussion IV. Commission Action – Acceptance of July 16, 2015, Minutes. Chairman Clement noted no changes to the Minutes and they are accepted. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights – Chairman Clement recognized Commissioner Whittum. Commissioner Whittum noted a significant increase in the number of motor vehicle stops during the month. Chairman Clement recognized Lieutenant Graton. Lieutenant Graton advised this may be as a result of Highway Safety Grants the Department has received. Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams noted a slight decrease in the number of motor vehicle accidents. B. Monthly Fleet Report – No Discussion C. Criminal Investigate Unit Statistics – No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics – Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams advised the Crimes Against Persons has shown a slight decrease of 2%, however, Group A Crimes Against Property is up 7:%, Crimes Against Society has shown a significant increase and the Group B Crimes are down by 9%. E. Budget Print-Out – No Discussion F. Monthly Traffic Statistics – No Discussion VI. Correspondence – Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams advised an e-mail was received from a resident on Elm Street in reference to speeding concerns and the radar board was put up in hopes of correcting this issue. The Chief advised we received a thank you from an intern who was given the opportunity to work with the Department. Chief Adams advised an e-mail was received in reference to an Officer in uniform driving while on the phone, but he was unable to identify the Officer. Chief Adams advised the PD initiated the hands free program with the Department six months prior to the State. The Chief advised a thank you was sent to Captain Canfield for his assistance during the rally at the Weirs Community Center which drew a large crowd. Chief Adams advised there was a thank you for our attendance at a former Police Officer’s funeral, a thank you from the CAC for help they received while moving into their new facility, and a thank for a safety talk that was given in an elderly community. Chairman Clement noted there is a lot of Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 20, 2015 Page 4 volunteer time done by the Department, but we are lacking in keeping track of volunteer hours. VII. Chief’s Report – Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams A. Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised the report cards were all A’s and B’s, including one received from Commissioner Maheux. Commissioner Maheux praised the quick response to an accident he was involved in. B. Entry-Level Police Officer Testing. Chief Adams advised we are beginning the process of entry-level police officer testing and currently have two positions available. C. 167th New Hampshire Police Academy Graduation. Chief Adams advised Officer Judy Walsworth will be graduating from the Academy tomorrow and offered his congratulations. D. Coffee with a Cop. Chief Adams advised the next Coffee with a Cop has been scheduled for September 3, 2015, at the Water Street Café. VIII. Old Business – No Discussion IX. New Business – Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams advised we are the recipients of the Tom Fox Award for Substance Abuse and there will be a ceremony for this recognition held in October. The Chief noted this also comes with a $1,000 Scholarship to be used for prevention work. Chief Adams advised one of our biggest goals is prevention and stopping someone before they get to the point of overdose. The Chief advised there are several new programs in the area which focus on youth and getting involved in the community; one being Rookie Rockers which is held on Wednesday nights at the Paradise Beach Club which is for those interested in music, was well attended by teenagers as well as their parents. The Chief advised another company, identified as Sonic Wallpaper, is providing guitar lessons in partnership with the Community Center, and these are just two examples we are very proud to be a part of. Chief Adams advised the PET position is continuing to move forward and will be presenting to the Governor’s Commission on Substance Abuse next week, we have received interest from other Departments regarding this position, and wanted to express a thank you to the Mayor and Council for their continued support of this position. Commissioner Maheux inquired if any of the volunteers would be able to assist Eric with the increasing demands on this position. Commissioner Whittum again praised the Department for its recognition by fellow Officers in Keene, the Governor’s Office for the Substance Abuse Program and the countless number of volunteer hours provided by members of the Department. X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – September 17, 2015 Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 20, 2015 Page 5 XI. Other Business – Chairman Clement recognized Commissioner Maheux. Commissioner Maheux advised he received a compliment the other day with regard to Officer Armstrong and Titan’s work. XII. Citizen Comments – Chairman Clement recognized Patty Paquette. Patty wanted to express a thank you to everyone for using the microphones. XIII. Non-Public Session. Chairman Clement entertained a Motion to enter into Non- Public Session, moved by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux at 3:30 p.m. Chairman Clement entertained a Motion to move out of Non-Public Session, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Whittum, and passed unanimously at 3:58 p.m. Chairman Clement entertained a Motion to accept the Consent Agreement as presented to the Commission, Commissioner Whittum Reject, Commissioner Maheux Reject, and Chairman Clement Reject, Motion not passed. At 4:00 p.m., the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Whittum, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. ___________________________________ Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Laconia Police Commission /dms