Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION APRIL 21, 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 CHAIRMAN WHITTUM RECOGNIZES STAFF PRESENT – Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, and Lieutenant Allan L. Graton Chairman Whittum stated there are three (3) members of the Commission present and a quorum is established I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations & Awards – No Discussion B. Training – Lieutenant Graton advised Lieutenant Thomas Swett and Detective Tony Horan will be attending a Sexual Assault Response Seminar on April 20, 2016, and Lieutenant Richard Simmons and Lieutenant Swett will be attending the New Hampshire Traffic Safety Convention on May 3, 2016, Officer Short will be attending the 10th Annual Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Conference on April 25, 2016, in Taunton, Massachusetts. The Lieutenant advised Officers of the Department recently completed training provided by Lieutenant Simmons and Officer Joseph Marquis regarding high stress calls as well as Use of Force Training. Lieutenant Graton advised we will be receiving additional rifles from a JAG Grant in May at which point Patrol Officer will be assigned a rifle and less lethal training will be upcoming as well. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the rifles and was advised each Officer will have one assigned to them once they are received. Lieutenant Graton advised Officer Guy Leva and Sean McCormack passed their Physical Training for the Academy and are slated to start May 2, 2016, with graduation scheduled for August 19, 2016. Commissioner Tarr inquired if there are any female Officers on the Sexual Assault Response Team and Captain Matthew Canfield advised the team is made up of representatives from various Departments and there are females involved. Chairman Whittum asked for the process to be explained. Captain Canfield advised our Detectives will be assigned to investigate the crime, but SART is a way that evidence is collected. Captain Canfield advised a victim comes to the Police Department, a forensic exam is done at the Hospital, it is established where the incident occurred, the crime scene is investigated, and then further investigation is completed. Chief Adams advised it is actually a Sexual Assault Resource Team. Laconia Police Commission Minutes – April 21, 2016 Page 2 C. Miscellaneous 1) Laconia Links – Chief Adams advised there were articles regarding the 8th Annual Winni Dip for Law Enforcement to support Special Olympics which raised approximately $4,000, Officer Jonathan Howe’s participation in the Boy Scouts Soap Box Derby representing the Police Department, Robin Moyer did a couple of presentations in reference to the History of the Laconia Police Department at the Laconia Library and the Taylor Community Woodside building, and Officer Eric Adams received the Friend of Public Health Award at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in recognition of his work for individuals suffering from addiction. D. Resignations/Retirement – No Discussion E. Hirings – Lieutenant Graton advised we are getting closer to completing the hiring process which started in February; three candidates have passed all phases and are planning to start them on May 16. The Lieutenant advised they will begin their first week of FTO during Bike Week, followed by eleven weeks of Field Training, and going to the Academy on August 29, 2016. Commissioner Maheux inquired if the three will bring us to full complement and was advised we will still be one down. F. Promotions/Reorganization – No Discussion II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander – Captain Canfield advised there has been a lot of time spent with regard to M/C Week Planning, working on Operational Plans and scheduling, as well as conducting speed enforcement patrols and enforcing of the Hands Free Law, as well as walking beats Downtown. Commissioner Tarr inquired about performances for Bike Week and Captain Canfield advised with the entertainment planned, this may bring a different crowd of people. Commissioner Maheux inquired if there will be room for vendors with all the concerts planned and was advised there are a lot of activities planned. B. Support Division – Lieutenant Graton advised our Mock Re-Accreditation Assessment will take place tomorrow and on-site will be on August 1 through 4, 2016. Commissioner Tarr inquired how many standards and how many we need to pass in order to be Re-Accreditated. Lieutenant Graton advised there are over four hundred and believes it to be approximately eighty percent. Chief Adams advised it is easier now with everything being streamlined on the computer. C. Operations Division – Lieutenant Simmons advised we are still short handed and the Calls for Service have increased slightly, but Officers are stepping up and working extra as needed. Lieutenant Simmons advised the Little League Parade is Laconia Police Commission Minutes – April 21, 2016 Page 3 scheduled for this Saturday morning. The Lieutenant advised there are several DWI Patrols scheduled as well as Traffic Enforcement Patrols. D. Detective Division – Captain Canfield advised Officer Adams recently did an interview with a German TV Channel and the work he has been doing is being recognized everywhere, the Detectives are busy with background investigations as well as conducting joint investigations with Patrol Officers. E. Legal Division – Prosecutor Sawyer advised he recently met with representatives throughout the County involved in Felonies First which is to take place on July 1, 2016. Jim advised he and Lieutenant Swett met to talk about how we are going to do business as part of the main focus will be doing things much quicker in getting the case to the County Attorney and discovery to defendants. Jim advised we used to do all communication with County Attorney once the case was complete and everything was then provided to the County Attorney’s Office. Jim advised there will be continuous discovery to the CA’s Office, including the initial report, Affidavit and Complaint, followed by piece meal as they come in. Jim advised with the new initiatives in the Circuit Court with DWI and Domestic Violence cases, these are also sped up; arraignments being held within a matter of days from date of arrest. Commissioner Maheux inquired if the Court is still backed up. Jim advised in the 4th Circuit, we are very quick in terms of when people get in for arraignment to trial date, and it is one of the quickest in the State. Jim said hearing from other Courts, there is more time between arraignment and trial date, but Judge Carroll is interested in moving things along. Commissioner Tarr asked about the drug round up on March 9, and of those who were arrested, if they have had Probable Cause Hearings. Jim advised those held on Cash Bail were on the following day, a number were PR Bailed and given an Arraignment date of May 12, 2016. Chairman Whittum inquired if there are still any who are unaccounted for and was advised it is a small number. III. Orders and Bulletins – No Discussion IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of March 17, 2016, Minutes V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights – Chief Adams advised some of the traffic enforcement details are seeing additional violations of distracted driving and reckless driving; resulting in an increase in motor vehicles Summonses being issued as well as more written warnings. Chief Adams advised we are trying to remind everybody that the Hands Free Law is still out there. Chief Adams advised there were 23 Domestic Disturbances, 13 Suicidal Subjects, 15 Violations of Restraining Orders, 57 hours of Police volunteer time, 32 ¼ hours of civilian Laconia Police Commission Minutes – April 21, 2016 Page 4 volunteer hours and 14 victims were contacted. B. Monthly Fleet Report – No Discussion C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics – No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics – No Discussion E. Budget Print-Out – Chairman Whittum advised we are right on target. Chief Adams advised we will be presenting our Budget on June 6, 2016. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics – No Discussion VI. Correspondence to and from the Department - Chief Adams advised a thank you was received in reference to the drug round up, correspondence regarding the Indecent Exposure Ordinance and whether we are going to enforce it, a complimentary letter was received from the sister of an individual who took his own life who had noted training provided to Officers in cases such as this really pays off, Cheryl received a thank you from a college student who had some questions, Captain Canfield sat on a FBI Leadership Board, and a thank to Officer Eric Adams for an individual he had helped. The Chief advised Eric also recently received contact from an individual who has been sober for over a year, which shows this is working. Chief Adams advised Officer Sedgley has been assisting with a student and speaking with him on a regular basis as well as mentoring him on his own time and Sergeant Hubbard received thank yous for facilitating the internship program this year and we were presented with a slate at the Huot Center. VII. Chief’s Report A. Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised the assessment cards were all A’s and one with all B’s. B. Awards Presentation – May 11, 2016. Chief Adams advised we will be doing this again at the Pitman Freight Room and feels it is a lot better received. C. Mock Assessment – Chief Adams advised the Mock Assessment will be taking place tomorrow and the Re-Accreditation process in August, and if all goes well, we will be going to Charleston in November to receive our actual Re- Accreditation for CALEA. D. Officer Eric Adams – Chief Adams advised officer Eric Adams was recently presented with the New Hampshire Friend of Public Health Award for his work with individuals suffering from addiction. E. PAL (Police Athletic League) – Chief Adams advised we have partnered with the Boys and Girls Club and had six Officers over there yesterday. The Chief advised Laconia Police Commission Minutes – April 21, 2016 Page 5 it was a great time with forty to fifty kids involved. Chief Adams advised he did four laps with several of the kids and we will be over there every Wednesday to interact with the kids in a positive way. Chief Adams advised we may grow in the future; possibly with the school district, but this will be on-going and may include a basketball tournament. Chief Adams advised several of the Officers are already coaching sports throughout the community. Commissioner Maheux inquired how we are coming on our Explorer Program. Chief Adams advised we are registered, but we were one person short to get the program going. Lieutenant Simmons advised we need five, Officer Orton has been doing some recruiting at the High School, and is hopeful this will become more popular at the time when school starts up again. Chief Adams advised a couple of our Officers started off in the Explorer Program. F. Media Relations – Chief Adams advised the Gilford Police Department hosted a meeting with other agencies which went well to share ideas. Chief Adams advised we continue to receive a lot of calls regarding found needles and we are working with the school district to try and get an educational program out to the students and parents regarding what to do when found, proper disposal, etc. G. History of the Laconia Police Department – MIS Robin Moyer. Chairman Whittum advised this was a wonderful presentation, seconded by Commissioner Tarr. Chief Adams advised it is interesting to see where we came from. Chairman Whittum inquired if there has been any thought of getting this on Public Access TV. Chief Adams advised this would be fantastic. VIII. Old Business – No Discussion IX. New Business – Chairman Whittum extended an invitation to Officers of the Department for a free lunch at the Laconia Middle School at any time. X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – May 19, 2016 XI. Other Business – Chief Adams advised he and Lieutenant Graton attended the University of New Hampshire Public Hearing with regard to their Accreditation and testified on their behalf with regard to our relationship with them. XII. Citizen Comments – Dennis Lintz, Laconia resident. Dennis extended a thank you to Chairman Whittum for his quick response and noted he did comply with the procedure and spoke with the Watch Supervisor when he dropped off his grievance. Mr. Lintz advised he recently found four needles, but he doesn’t know who to speak with about these things. Mr. Lintz advised the grievance was filed in accordance to the Department Policy, he spoke with the Watch Supervisor, and mailed in a copy of the grievance as well which was addressed to the Watch Supervisor, but there still seems to be a problem. Chairman Whittum advised this was passed from the Watch Supervisor to the Chief Laconia Police Commission Minutes – April 21, 2016 Page 6 to the Commission. Mr. Lintz advised he complied with the procedure and was letting the Department know of information which could have stopped the incident on April 19. Chairman Whittum advised Mr. Lintz should contact the Attorney General’s Office as noted in his letter. Gail Ober, Ward 5. Ms. Ober inquired about SART and inquired if there are Rape Counselors available throughout the community, and was advised yes. Ms. Ober advised they work very closely with a lot of the agencies who are specifically trained to provide that kind of counsel to victims and families as needed. Captain Canfield advised there are resources available at the Hospital as well. Chief Adams advised the purpose of SART is to put things under a microscope to see where improvements can be made and the resources available to be drawn form. Chairman Whittum inquired about the Belknap House which will be opening soon as a homeless shelter. Chief Adams advised we belong to the Homeless Committee that meets every month and Sergeant Cameron is our liaison. Chief Adams advised this will be a shelter for the homeless during the winter season and is due to open in October. Commissioner Tarr inquired about any concerns regarding the housing on Messer Street. Chief Adams advised he has not heard of anything negative. 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 3:45 p.m.