Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION OCTOBER 15, 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 SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Chairman Clement led the Pledge of Allegiance RECORDING SECRETARY – Deborah M. Simkins, Administrative Assistant ROLL CALL – Chairman Warren C. Clement, Commissioner Douglas A. Whittum (Absent), Commissioner Armand E. Maheux CHAIRMAN CLEMENT RECOGNIZES STAFF PRESENT – Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain William F. Clary, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, Lieutenant Allan L. Graton, and Prosecutor James A. Sawyer Chairman Clement stated there are two (2) members of the Commission present and a quorum is established I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations and Awards – No Discussion B. Training – IMS Robin C. Moyer (2015 Fall Training Summit – Tritech). Chairman Clement recognized Lieutenant Graton. Lieutenant Graton advised we have one request for out-of-State training relative to our IMC Records System to take place in Massachusetts. Chairman Clement entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State training, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Chairman Clement, and passed unanimously. C. Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams advised a group participated in Fueling Dreams for Special Olympics of New Hampshire and helped pump gas, an article was submitted regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and a Halloween Safety message was prepared noting Trick or Treat to take place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Commissioner Maheux inquired if there will be any conflicts with Pumpkin Festival and Halloween and was advised there will be no conflict. D. Resignations/Retirement – Dispatcher Irma Krupic. Chairman Clement recognized Chief Adams. Chief Adams advised that Irma has taken a position with the UNH Police Department and is a full-time student there as well. Laconia Police Commission Minutes – October 15, 2015 Page 2 Commissioner Maheux inquired if anyone will be taking her place and was advised that Irma worked part-time, so it is not critical she be replaced right away. E. Hirings – Lieutenant Graton advised he called 232 possible candidates to attend the physical fitness test on October 21, 2015, has received 60 confirmed, but is still waiting for call backs. F. Promotions/Reorganization – No Discussion II. Division Commander’s Forum A. Support Division – Chairman Clement recognized Captain Clary. Captain Clary advised two of the three new vehicles are in, but during the inspection of the fleet, we were told our utility vehicle won’t pass inspection and needs work on its frame. Captain Clary advised we are going to surplus the utility vehicle and keep the old ACO Van in its place. Captain Clary advised we hit the quarter cycle of our budget and we are a little high with the overtime, but should be able to maintain control of that. Captain Clary advised in looking at the BCI activity, there has been a significant increase in productivity as compared to last year. B. Operations Division – Chairman Clement recognized Captain Canfield. Captain Canfield advised we have been planning for the Pumpkin Festival as well as the Christmas Parade. Chief Adams advised Captain Canfield has been planning for the event which is a bit of an unknown entity as we have never had it before and one of the major concerns is parking. Chief Adams advised overall we are not expecting any major issues, however, we do have a plan in place and are ready for any scenario, and overall looking for a good event. Commissioner Maheux inquired about parking and was advised there are three to five official dedicated parking areas and people will be bussed. Chief Adams advised there may also be some smaller parking venues around the area as well, including the Weirs. Chairman Clement inquired if we will be hiring outside Police Officers, and was advised we are getting help from about four or five other people only. C. Legal Division – Chairman Clement recognized Prosecutor Sawyer. Prosecutor Sawyer advised this week we had 10 video arraignments and the office is very busy, working to get the information together for Court and then ready for the next hearing as we have quick turn arounds in this Court. Jim said our trial dates are being scheduled for November and December which puts on stress on the administrative staff as well as the Officers. Laconia Police Commission Minutes – October 15, 2015 Page 3 III. Orders and Bulletins – No Discussion IV. Commission Action – Acceptance of September 17, 2015, Minutes. The Secretary’s draft of the Minutes was sent and a copy is in the meeting packet. If there are no corrections, the Minutes stand accepted as distributed. Commissioner Maheux moved to authorize the Chairman of the Police Commission to sign all Grant Applications on behalf of the Police Commission after a vote of the Commission to apply for said Grant at its next meeting. In the event the Chairman determines that the Grant Application is time sensitive and the Commission is unable to timely meet, the Chairman is authorized to sign the application and report back to the Commission at the next regular meeting, seconded by Chairman Clement, and passed. Lieutenant Graton advised he will have all the required documents for the Grant to submit to the Department of Justice for the purchase of new rifles today. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights – Chief Adams advised there were 32 domestic violence disturbances during the month and the number of Calls for Service has increased; 1,713 calls for the month of September. The Chief advised members of the Department volunteered 56 hours of their time during various activities throughout the month and the volunteers donated 27 ¾ hours for the month of September. B. Monthly Fleet Report – Chairman Clement noted the mileage keeps creeping up and Captain Clary advised the cars on the front line accumulate mileage at a much faster rate. C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics – No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics – Chief Adams advised from a lot of meetings he has been attending, he is hearing about huge spikes in criminal activity. Chief Adams advised we are looking pretty good, with crimes against persons down, crimes against property at a slight increase, and crimes against society is a huge increase as a result of Narcotics Violations. Chief Adams advised the criminal complaints are not increasing like in some other communities even as a result of the increase in drug use. E. Budget Print-Out – No Discussion Laconia Police Commission Minutes – October 15, 2015 Page 4 F. Monthly Traffic Statistics – No Discussion VI. Correspondence – Chief Adams advised a letter was received from the Carey House for an Officer’s response in resolving a situation, Sergeant Swett was thanked for providing directions to a lost person, a thank you from UNH for assistance during moving day, for participation in public safety day at Gunstock, and for locating a lost child at a recent football game. Chief Adams advised Secretary Clinton was here for the substance abuse forum and thanked us for our participation, we received a thank you for a donation made to the Woodland Heights new dugout, the Bradford Police Chief also expressed a thank you for a card we had sent with condolences following the loss of his son, and for raising $800 for Fueling Dreams here in Laconia. VII. Chief’s Report – Chairman Clement recognizes Chief Adams A. Performance Assessment Cards – Chief Adams advised he spoke with the gentleman regarding the F reporting and he did not agree with the way the Officer wrote the report and finding him at fault for the accident. Chief Adams advised he has spoken with the Officer as well. All of the rest were A’s and B’s. B. Tom Fox Scholarship – Prevention Award. Chief Adams advised the Tom Fox Scholarship Award was presented to the Department along with letters from Governor Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Kelly Ayotte. Chief Adams advised this is a statewide alcohol and drug organization and advocate a lot in the State of New Hampshire. Chief Adams advised this Friday we will be receiving an award for the assistance we provided during the Keene riot during Pumpkinfest. C. Overdose Update – Chief Adams advised we have had 75 to 80 overdoses this year to date. Captain Clary advised the Detectives have been assigned to nine cases where it was believed it may have been some type of overdose death; one has been determined to be of natural causes and we have received the Toxicology Results for five which indicated Narcotics, but we are still waiting for three. Captain Clary advised we are hitting them earlier and this is proving to be productive. Chief Adams advised we are taking a balanced approach to give us the best opportunity and Officer Adams is working very closely with Horizons as well as other organizations, there are resources available, but it is nowhere close to the need. Chief Adams advised there has been a lot of talk recently within the State Government as well as in the Presidential race with regard to funding for these problems. D. Pumpkin Festival – Chief Adams advised Captain Canfield has been working diligently on an Operational Plan and we are expecting this to be a very successful event. Laconia Police Commission Minutes – October 15, 2015 Page 5 VIII. Old Business – Chairman Clement recognized Lieutenant Simmons. Lieutenant Simmons advised the Citizen’s Academy is going along well and next week we will be using the simulator and training with regard to use of force which generates a lot of questions. Commissioner Maheux advised it is a small class, but they are very focused and the Officers do a tremendous job explaining everything. IX. New Business – Chairman Clement inquired when the Parking Garage may be open again and was advised possibly next Thursday. X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – November 19, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. XI. Other Business – No Discussion XII. Citizen Comments – No Discussion XIII. Non-Public Session – No Discussion There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 3:28 p.m. /dms