Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION AUGUST 18, 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. Sawicki 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, Lieutenant Allan L. Graton, Lieutenant Thomas E. Swett and Prosecutor James A. Sawyer Chairman Whittum -- A quorum has been established and there are three Commission members present I. Personnel Matters A. Commendations & Awards -- Kayleigh Thompson. Chief Christopher Adams presented Kayleigh with a Certificate of Appreciation for her volunteer service during the past months for cleaning our Police Cruisers. Chief Adams advised we couldn’t be more grateful for her dedicated service to the Police Department and our community. B. Training -- Lieutenant Allan Graton advised Lieutenant Swett has requested to attend Forensic Interviewing in Providence, Rhode Island, and a training request has been received for Detective Carsen and Detective Neri to attend High Intensity Drug Trafficking; both at no cost to the Department. The Lieutenant advised driving training is scheduled for next month on how to avoid accidents, etc., and Fall Firearms Qualifications will be taking place in the near future. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the graduation of our two Officers currently attending the Police Academy and was advised graduation is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at the University of New Hampshire at 2:00 p.m., however, there are a limited number of seats being made available to each department. 1) Miscellaneous -- Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised the first article was in reference to the AARP Driving Course hosted by the department and Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 18, 2016 Page 2 held yesterday and there was an announcement regarding National Night Out which was a fabulous night and well attended, with a lot of our community partners present as well. Chief Adams advised there was an article regarding our Re-Accreditation Comment Session and we actually had about fourteen people come and make comments which were all very positive and the whole process went very well. The Chief advised the two Assessors were here for four days and they interviewed command staff, officers, and civilian personnel. The Chief advised there were a few minor tweaks needed for reporting, but overall it was very well received, which is a true testament to our employees. C. Resignations/Retirement -- No Discussion D. Hirings -- Lieutenant Graton advised he has received interest from a full-time certified Police Officer in Virginia Beach who will be traveling here within the next couple of weeks and also an interest from another full-time certified officer as well. Commissioner Maheux inquired what will be required for training as they are full-time certified and was advised they are obligated to take the Law Package at the Police Academy for New Hampshire Certification. E. Promotions/Reorganization -- No Discussion II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander -- Captain Matthew Canfield advised we have been continuing to offer the Risk Assessment Program with more scheduled for the month of September and the Active Shooter Presentations will be held again at the Gale Memorial Library for anyone from the public who wishes to attend. Captain Canfield advised Pumpkin Festival is coming up quickly. B. Support Division -- Lieutenant Graton advised there was some anxiety with the CALEA Assessment Team arriving, but the process went very smoothly, and everything else in the building is going well. C. Operations Division -- Lieutenant Richard Simmons advised the Citizen’s Police Academy begins on September 8, 2016. The Lieutenant advised the schedule has been changed somewhat, with two hour classes instead and the addition of one class. Chairman Whittum inquired if there has been a lot of requests and the Lieutenant advised there has been a lot of interest from the residents of the Taylor Home who are very excited to host this class. D. Detective Division -- Lieutenant Thomas Swett advised business is good and Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 18, 2016 Page 3 moving along nicely. E. Legal Division -- Prosecutor James Sawyer advised twenty felonies have gone through the process as a result of the initiation of Felony First and he has definitely seen an improvement in the relationship between the Police Department and the County Attorney’s Office. Jim advised one of our long- time volunteers who started at the inception of the program, Juliette Miner, has tendered her resignation as a volunteer. Jim advised Juliette was a valuable asset to the Department and assisted with copying, filing, organizing records and even took on additional responsibilities when one of our Administrative Assistants was on maternity leave. Prosecutor Sawyer advised she will certainly be missed. Chief Adams seconded the Prosecutor’s sentiments regarding her abilities and advised she will be missed greatly. III. Orders and Bulletins -- No Discussion IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of July 21, 2016, Minutes (Public and Non-Public Sessions) Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to approve the out-of-state school training requests for Lieutenant Swett, Detective Carsen and Detective Neri, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the continuing of education to other members of the Department once someone has attended schooling. Chief Adams advised this does occur some times during Roll Call Training as well as at other scheduled training. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights -- Chief Adams advised this has been a busy summer for all shifts, and the Officers have been doing an outstanding job, with slightly more than 200 additional calls for service in the month. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the criminal arrests versus the total number of physical arrests. Deborah Sawicki advised a subject may be arrested on more than one offense which is reflected in the total numbers. B. Monthly Fleet Report - No Discussion C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics -- Commissioner Tarr inquired about the sexual offender registrations, if this reflects the number of offenders in the City and if it is the responsibility of the offender to register. Lieutenant Swett Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 18, 2016 Page 4 advised if someone’s registration date comes up and they haven’t registered, we do receive the information. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the requirements for sexual offenders. Lieutenant Swett advised they are required to register with us, but the number of times they have to register a year is depending on their level of offense. D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics -- Chief Adams advised the Criminal Trespass numbers continue to increase and believe this may be attributed in part to the number of transients, and the Felony level assaults were also up. The Chief advised the majority of the other offenses were on par, with the exception of drug investigations which showed an increase. Commissioner Tarr also noted an increase in the number of offenses regarding counterfeit money and inquired if we coordinate these crimes with the Secret Service. Chief Adams advised we do work in conjunction with the Secret Service in some of these instances, however, the Detectives are looking at similarities in the counterfeit bills being passed. E. Budget Print-Out -- Commissioner Tarr inquired if we had finished with a surplus and was advised that we did not. Captain Canfield advised our line items are usually spot on. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics -- Chief Adams noted year to date we have been down in the number of accidents. Chief Adams advised the CRO’s have been busy with parking enforcement and thanked them for their hard work this summer. Chairman Whittum inquired if the number of accidents as a result of a distracted driver are perhaps attributed to the use of cell phones. Chief Adams advised we had issued 237 warnings and close to 50 citations for the Hands Free Law and we have applied for a grant which is specific to the Hands Free Law as this is a continuing issue. VI. Correspondence to and from the Department -- Chief Adams advised Amerigas came to the Department and served us a wonderful lunch and a number of other businesses and individuals have offered their support during this time as well. Chief Adams advised we are fortunate to work in a community where the citizens are supportive of us and really appreciate everything that has been done and we continue to do to keep them safe. Chief Adams advised Officer Wolak received a very nice thank you and there was also a thank for a house check that was done. The Chief advised we did receive a concern regarding speeding vehicles which has been addressed. VII. Chief’s Report A. Performance Assessment Report Cards -- Chief Adams advised there were Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 18, 2016 Page 5 eleven with all A’s and one with A’s and B’s. B. National Night Out -- Chief Adams expressed appreciation to Lieutenant Simmons for all his efforts in organizing this very successful event. The Chief advised it was very well attended and is definitely a worthwhile event. C. Re-Accreditation Process -- Chief Adams advised we expect to travel in the fall to receive our Re-Accreditation status. D. School Starting -- Chief Adams advised we are gearing up for the beginning of the school year and Officers will be present in all of the schools on the first day. Chief Adams advised that Lieutenant Swett has just submitted a grant and is hopeful to receive some funding for education and enforcement of the drug issues within the community. Commissioner Maheux inquired if part of this grant will be used for treatment as well. Lieutenant Swett advised this grant is specific to police overtime and targets four different areas, overtime, hours available for the PET Officer, hours for training, and investigations. VIII. Old Business - No Discussion IX. New Business -- No Discussion X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting -- September 15, 2016 XI. Other Business -- No Discussion XII. Citizen Comments -- Dennis Lintz, Laconia. Mr. Lintz advised with the accreditation process, they allowed ten minutes for someone to speak and was wondering if this was because the Commission was more concerned about the Department and what happens in our Community and would consider a proposal from two minutes to ten minutes at the Commission Meetings. Chief Adams advised it is common practice throughout the Nation with regard to CALEA for a ten minute limit. Lieutenant Graton advised they need a little more extra time for the input as they are only here every three years. Commissioner Tarr advised he did a survey with the Departments who have Police Commissions throughout the State and for all of them, the common amount of time is between two and three minutes, so we are consistent with what other Departments are offering. Mr. Lintz advised he believes this is quite a limitation as far as free speech. XIII. Non-Public Session -- No Discussion Laconia Police Commission Minutes – August 18, 2016 Page 6 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.