Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 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 Allan L. Graton, 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 -- Volunteer Juliette Miner. Chief Christopher Adams advised Juliette has been a volunteer with our Department since 2004 and given countless hours of service to the Laconia Police Department and the City of Laconia. Prosecutor James Sawyer added that Juliette has truly been an asset to the Prosecutor’s Office and to the Department as a whole and has volunteered the most number of hours during her service to the Department. B. Training -- Lieutenant Allan Graton advised we will be conducting defensive driving training at the Laconia Airport in Gilford next month. C. Miscellaneous -- Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised there was an article in reference to school safety and the starting of the school year. The Chief advised on the first day of school, there were Officers present at each of the schools to greet the students and ensure their safety. Chief Adams advised there was a photo opportunity and article regarding our newest two graduates from the Police Academy; Officer Guy Leva and Officer Sean McCormack. The Chief advised they should be out on their own during the second week of October. D. Resignations/Retirement -- No Discussion E. Hirings -- Lieutenant Graton advised he has recently called a lot of people for the next testing process and the physical fitness testing will be held on October Laconia Police Commission September 15, 2016, Minutes Page 2 8, 2016. The Lieutenant advised we currently have two positions to fill. F. Promotions/Reorganization -- No Discussion II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander -- Captain Matthew Canfield advised it has been a very busy summer and unfortunately with a lot of serious incidents. The Captain advised that Lieutenant Swett recently presented an Active Shooter Class for Altrusa, and another will be held at the Margate in the near future. B. Support Division -- Lieutenant Graton advised we have a new cruiser on the road and a second one has just arrived at Irwin’s. C. Operations Division -- Intern Collin Sheehan -- No Discussion D. Detective Division -- No Discussion E. Legal Division -- Prosecutor Sawyer advised he met with another potential volunteer yesterday and she will be submitting an application soon. The Prosecutor advised that Felony Firsts hasn’t seemed to have slowed down the number of trials, and the domestics seem to be more and more. Chairman Whittum inquired if any of the volunteers are as a result of the Citizen’s Academy. Prosecutor Sawyer advised Judi, Corinne and Carole all attended the Citizen’s Academy and there have been a couple of others who have come and gone. III. Orders and Bulletins -- Commissioner Maheux inquired about Crossing Guards and was advised the School District is now responsible for them and we have not provided them with any training. IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of August 18, 2016, Minutes V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights -- Chief Adams noted an increase in the number of Calls for Service for the month and a slight decrease in the number of motor vehicle accidents. The Chief advised Officers responded to 46 domestic violence incidents which is slightly higher than most months, there were 168 general disturbances, and there were 16 suicidal subjects which is also an Laconia Police Commission September 15, 2016, Minutes Page 3 increase. Commissioner Maheux also noted the significant rise in the number of suicidal subjects and inquired if this is based on anything specific. Chief Adams advised he believes this may be in part to financial issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, or a combination of a lot of different factors. B. Monthly Fleet Report -- No Discussion C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics -- No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics -- Chief Adams advised Crimes Against Persons is down five percent year to date, Aggravated Assaults, however, showed an increase, and Crimes Against Society is significantly up as a result in part to a major incident involving counterfeiting. The Chief praised Officers and Detectives for an arrest in this incident. The Chief advised Criminal Trespass cases are also on the rise which may be as a result of the number of transients. Prosecutor Sawyer advised a lot of this may also be as a result of a tenant inviting someone into their home who may have a No Trespass Letter issued to them. E. Budget Print-Out -- No Discussion F. Monthly Traffic Statistics -- Chairman Whittum inquired about the number of distracted driving accidents and if this could be related to the use of cell phones. Chief Adams advised it seems there has been an increase in the use of cell phones recently. VI. Correspondence to and from the Department -- Chief Adams advised we received a thank you from the Sachems for showing support of their team, a thank you from the Principal of the Middle School in reference to opening day, a thank you from a person who job shadowed at Dispatch, and a thank you from a supporter of a young local young child who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness with regard to the compassion the Department has shown for this young man. Commissioner Tarr noted the individual regarding the fireworks complaint had indicated he would be in touch and inquired if there has been any further communication. Chief Adams advised he has e-mailed him, but has not received a return call. VII. Chief’s Report A. Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised there were 14 report cards with all A’s and B’s, however, there was one C which noted a time concern. Laconia Police Commission September 15, 2016, Minutes Page 4 B. Citizen’s Academy -- Chief Adams advised the Citizen’s Academy is being held at the Taylor Home this year and there is a class of about ten people. Commissioner Maheux advised he attended today and the topic was DWI. C. Walking Patrols -- Chief Adams advised these are two-person walking patrols in the Downtown area and from the area of Busy Corner to Main Street. The Chief advised the Officers have been instructed to keep a special eye out for some of the issues we have been seeing in reference to the transient population as well as drugs. D. Fueling Dreams -- NH Special Olympics. Chief Adams advised Fueling Dreams was held at the Irving Station and Lieutenant Graton, Lieutenant Swett, Officer Bassett, and Officer Legere attended and pumped gasoline for the Special Olympics. E. Pumpkin Fest -- Captain Canfield advised Pumpkin Fest will be held on October 22, 2016, in the Downtown area again as last year and it looks to be a very family-oriented event. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the hours and was advised it is a day-long event, starting with a 5K Race in the morning, and then the lighting of the tower at 9:00 p.m. Commissioner Tarr inquired if there have been any changes proposed and he was advised they are moving the Tower and may be bringing in some rides for kids as well as different food vendors. VIII. Old Business -- No Discussion IX. New Business -- No Discussion X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting -- October 20, 2016 XI. Other Business -- No Discussion XII. Citizen Comments -- Dennis Lintz, Laconia. Mr. Lintz inquired why Captain Canfield was not dancing during the Multicultural Event. Mr. Lintz advised a phone call was made regarding his attendance at the Amy Lafond trial and Captain Canfield advised he did not specifically recall the phone call. XIII. Non-Public Session 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.