Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MARCH 17, 2016, MINUTES CONFERENCE ROOM #200A, LACONIA CITY HALL 45 BEACON STREET EAST, LACONIA, NH – 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Whittum called the Meeting to Order SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Chairman Whittum led the Pledge of Allegiance RECORDING SECRETARY – Deborah M. Simkins, Administrative Assistant ROLL CALL – Chairman Douglas A. Whittum, Clerk Armand E. Maheux, and Commissioner Thomas K. Tarr (audio satellite) CHAIRMAN WHITTUM RECOGNIZES STAFF PRESENT – Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, and Lieutenant Thomas E. Swett Chairman Whittum stated there are three (3) members of the Commission present and a quorum is established I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations & Awards – Chief Christopher Adams advised that Officer Eric S. Adams will be recognized on April 13, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. by the New Hampshire Public Health Association at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord, New Hampshire, for all the work he has done in the State and his position as the Prevention, Education and Treatment Officer for the City of Laconia Police Department. B. Training – Captain Matthew Canfield advised we completed CPR First Aid Training this week and Tactical Training is scheduled to take place next week. C. Miscellaneous 1) Laconia Links – Chief Adams advised one of the articles included a photograph of our new Officers; Officer Shawn J. Kelly, Officer Guy A. Leva, III, and Officer Sean P. McCormack. The Chief advised MIS Robin C. Moyer is doing a presentation at the Library for the Laconia Historical Society on the history of the Laconia Police Department on March 21, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., and the last article was a St. Patrick’s Day Safety Alert not to drink and drive. D. Resignations/Retirement – Chief Adams advised one of our recent new hires, Officer Kelly, has unfortunately tendered his resignation. The Chief advised that Officer Kelly had tested with Civil Service and they had offered him a job, he accepted the position and went back to his hometown. Laconia Police Commission March 17, 2016, Minutes Page 2 E. Hirings – Captain Canfield advised the physical agility tests will be taking place in Concord to begin the next hiring process. F. Promotions/Reorganization – Captain Canfield advised Officer Carlson and Officer Benoit were just promoted to Field Training Officers. Commissioner Tarr inquired if Officer Carlson and Officer Benoit will have additional patrol duties with these assignments. Chief Adams advised they will be performing their normal duties as well and both have previous experience with other Departments. Chairman Whittum inquired if the new Officers are assigned with one FTO or more than one. Chief Adams advised there are three Field Training Officers and during the Field Training Program, each Probationary Officer will be assigned to all three. Chairman Whittum inquired if this poses problems with the way things are done. Captain Canfield advised the first part is with one FTO, the mid-term is with the second, and the last is with the third Training Officer. Captain Canfield advised this way they get a blend as some Officers are more experienced than others in certain areas, giving them a broader spectrum. Captain Canfield also advised after they have completed the Field Training Program, the Field Training Officers will meet to discuss the recruit’s progress and whether he/she will be promoted to the next phase or if there is a need for remedial training. II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander Captain Canfield advised we did a City-wide drug sweep on March 9, 2016, resulting in the arrest of numerous drug dealers, we have increased walking beats in the Downtown area for more uniform presence, Motorcycle Week Planning is well underway, and we are preparing for a Mock Assessment on April 22, 2016, which Robin has been hard at work on that with an anticipated Re-Accreditation on August 3 and 4, 2016 B. Captain Canfield advised he has been working on the Budget with the Finance Department and refreshing his memory. According to Event Planners, Motorcycle Week is in full swing with the promise of bigger events this year. Captain Canfield advised we are in the process of preparing for the Mock Assessment in April for Re-Accreditation which will take place in August. Commissioner Maheux inquired how often we are Re-Accredited and was advised after this one, it will be every five years. Commissioner Tarr inquired if Captain Canfield has assumed all of his new duties as well as his previous duties. Captain Canfield advised a lot of his previous duties have been divided amongst the other Bureau Commanders. C. Support Bureau. Commissioner Maheux inquired when the new Officers will be going to the Academy and was advised in May. Chairman Whittum inquired when the psychological is scheduled and was advised this is done during the Laconia Police Commission March 17, 2016, Minutes Page 3 background investigation process. D. Operations Bureau. Lieutenant Richard Simmons advised the schedule is tight and we don’t have any extra, but Patrol has really stepped it up and even coming in early if necessary. Lieutenant Simmons advised Officer Cardinal spoke at New Beginnings and the Prospect Mountain School to talk with young girls about careers, Sergeant Cameron taught a Driving Class at the Academy, and Officer Shortt provided Defensive Tactics Instruction. The Lieutenant advised the Winni Dip is fast approaching and Officer Orton will be teaching the 4th grade students on the 4th Amendment, Search and Seizure. Lieutenant Simmons advised our call volume hasn’t gone down, but we are still able to participate in some of these extra-curricular activities. Commissioner Maheux advised we have a great Department and they don’t hesitate to step up. E. Detective Bureau. Lieutenant Swett advised the Detective Bureau has been very busy, recently arresting twenty-five individuals on drug charges with eight still outstanding. The Lieutenant advised he has been attending meetings at the County Attorney’s Office and some Grants are coming together; the first being a DWI Grant this Friday and Saturday nights. F. Legal Bureau – No Discussion III. Orders and Bulletins – Captain Canfield advised Officer Kevin Shortt will be attending the 10th Annual Gang Training Conference from April 24 to 28, in Taunton, Massachusetts, Lieutenant Allan Graton and MIS Moyer will be attending Law Enforcement Accreditation Training from May 11 to 13, 2016, in Lincoln, New Hampshire, and Detective Jeffrey Wholley and Officer Anna Brewer will be attending Combating Elder Financial Exploitation in Concord on April 20, 2016, in Concord, New Hampshire. IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of February 18, 2016, Minutes – Minutes accepted as distributed. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights. Chief Adams advised LPD Officers and employees volunteered nineteen hours and the Victims Services Unit completed thirty-eight hours, serving twenty-two victims. Chief Adams advised we have been receiving complaints about distracted drivers and people violating the Hands Free Law, and conducting more motor vehicle stops, in hopes of deterring this activity. Chief Adams advised even though we are shorthanded, we are out there in hopes of helping people change their driving habits. Laconia Police Commission March 17, 2016, Minutes Page 4 B. Monthly Fleet Report - No Discussion C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the increase in numbers for the Warrants/Juvenile Petitions. Lieutenant Swett advised the Detective Unit had been working on preparing a number of Warrants for drug offenses and also Juvenile Petitions can be issued at any time, with a significant number submitted at once. D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics. Chief Adams noted Crimes Against Persons showed a slight decrease while Crimes Against Property has increased significantly. E. Budget Print-Out. Captain Canfield advised we are on line with the budget and have been meeting with the City Manager for the upcoming Fiscal Year Budget. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics – No Discussion VI. Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised we received a thank you for our donation to the 2nd Annual Unified Basketball Jamboree, a thank you from the Salvation Army for our participation in the Red Kettle Campaign, noting the Department raised $1,006, and a thank you from a landlord for our participation in the recent drug arrests. VII. Chief’s Report. A. Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised we received fourteen cards; all A’s and one B. Chief Adams advised 164 cards were returned and 162 were A’s and B’s for the year 2015, with very few less than a C. Chief Adams advised it is our goal to get them back as this is a great tool to measure our successes or where we may fall short. Commissioner Maheux suggested perhaps the cards could be handed out during other circumstances as well. B. Notification of Personnel. Chief Adams advised this Directive has been around for quite some time, but there had been two documents and some confusion arose, but feels it is working well now. Lieutenant Simmons advised due to the restructuring the Policy didn’t make much sense and needed to be changed. Commissioner Maheux inquired how the restructuring is working out and was advised due to the communication piece, we have received nothing but positive comments thus far. Commissioner Tarr inquired if the notification process with regard to the Commission is new. Chief Adams advised this is not new and the Commission have been and will continue to be notified. Commissioner Tarr inquired if the Directives are reviewed annually or only if changes are needed. Laconia Police Commission March 17, 2016, Minutes Page 5 Chief Adams advised the Policies have been added to Power DMS, but we do look at them on a regular basis for Re-Accreditation purposes as well. Commissioner Tarr advised on occasion, he may be expected to hear from the Supervisor on duty as well. Chief Adams advised we have switched over to text messaging as the primary means of communication as one text can be sent to everyone. Chief Adams advised if there is a major incident, phone calls will be made. VIII. Old Business – Chief Adams advised we had four overdoses over the weekend with one fatality and one who is in critical condition. Chief Adams advised a lot of the smaller towns are now on the news as well, so it is taking its toll everywhere. Commissioner Tarr inquired what percentage of individuals who have overdosed before we are responding to again. Chief Adams advised it is not uncommon for people to overdose multiple times. The Chief advised the Fire Department has used Narcan on one individual five times, so it is not that uncommon. Chief Adams advised that Narcan does give a life line which is surely a benefit. Chairman Whittum inquired of the turnaround time for a toxicology report. Chief Adams advised they are inundated at the State Lab with 460 plus for last year alone. Chief Adams advised they are looking at pushing overdose cases and charging individuals with the deaths. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the remaining outstanding Warrants. Lieutenant Swett advised the total number of arrests is at twenty- five and the Detectives are actively searching for those still at large. Commissioner Maheux advised thirteen of sixteen arrested were on the street the next morning. Commissioner Tarr inquired about whether the defendants, most of whom had been released on Bail, were being supervised by the State prior to trial. Lieutenant Swett advised there is very little pre-trial supervision provided, so they are not being monitored and innocent until proven guilty. Chief Adams advised Officers are providing CPR on some of the overdose cases and this can be challenging, so we are keeping our eyes and ears open for the welfare of the Officers. Chief Adams advised this takes a toll in many ways. Commissioner Maheux advised the last Civilian Academy was very beneficial and suggested we start advertising it early. Lieutenant Simmons advised we may do things a little differently this year and possibly at the Taylor Home to include some of the residents there. Commissioner Maheux inquired about putting something like this on for teenagers and was advised this is a good idea. Chief Adams advised we are going to be starting our Explorer Program very soon and Lieutenant Swett advised he has been actively looking for individuals to participate as well as volunteer at the Department. Chairman Whittum suggested contacting Peg Selig from Adult Education for advertising possibilities. Lieutenant Simmons advised he has also reached out to people who have already attended to inquire if they know of anyone who may be interested in attending. Commissioner Maheux advised this is an excellent program. IX. New Business – Chief Adams advised the Winni Dip is taking place on Saturday at noon. X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – April 21, 2016 Laconia Police Commission March 17, 2016, Minutes Page 6 XI. Other Business – No Discussion XII. Citizen Comments – Councilor Brenda Baer noted most of those arrested were released on PR Bail and inquired if most of them do not return for their Court Hearings. Lieutenant Swett advised the majority of them will show up, but it is while they are out on Bail, that is the problem. Captain Canfield advised if they do not show up in Court after being released on PR Bail, they are responsible to pay the Bail amount. Lieutenant Swett advised that Probation is not in effect unless they are already on Parole. XIII. Non-Public Session – No Discussion RSA 91-A:3II(a) – The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee or the investigation of any charges against him or her unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting, and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted. Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.