Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION NOVEMBER 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. 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 -- Chief Christopher Adams advised we just came back from Charleston where we formally sat in front of the CALEA Commission and there was not a negative thing said about our Department. Chief Adams recognized Robin Moyer and Lieutenant Graton for all their efforts during the Reaccreditation process. Chief Adams advised Robin did a remarkable job preparing for the Mock Assessment which took place in August and today presented her with a Certificate of appreciation. B. Training -- Lieutenant Allan Graton advised we will be conducting Taser Recertification next month. C. Miscellaneous -- Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised there was an article for Halloween Safety and noted Halloween was busy as usual, but there were no incidents and it went without a hitch. The Chief advised there was an article recognizing Officer Adams at the Police Academy receiving the Congressional Law Enforcement Award. Chief Adams noted an article in reference to the Winter Parking Ban which went into effect on November 1, 2016, and stated we typically issue warnings and use discretion at the beginning of the season. Chief Adams advised Empty Bowls will be held tonight at the Middle School and encourage everyone to come out for that. Chief advised there was also a photograph included from the CALEA Reaccreditation process. Commission Meeting Minutes November 17, 2016 Page 2 D. Resignations/Retirement -- No Discussion E. Hirings -- Lieutenant Graton advised we are starting background investigations and expect to have three new hires at the beginning of January, 2017. Commissioner Maheux inquired if any are New Hampshire certified and was advised there is one who is New Hampshire Certified. F. Promotions/Reorganization -- D.A.R.E. Officer and the Belknap Regional Accident Investigation Team. Lieutenant Graton advised Officer Cardinal has elected not to continue with the Collateral Duty of D.A.R.E. Officer, but has offered to assist with the transition to another Officer. Chief Adams advised Michelle has been doing this for seven years and has done a remarkable job, but is ready to move on to something different. The Commission reiterated that the kids just love her to pieces and will certainly miss her. Commissioner Tarr inquired if there are any incentives associated with this position. Chief Adams advised having the kids remember you for years and years is pretty cool. Lieutenant Graton advised the Belknap Regional Accident Reconstruction Team is also looking for assistance. Commissioner Maheux inquired if there is anyone from the Department currently on this team and was advised Lieutenant Graton and Detective Neri. II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander. Captain Matthew Canfield advised the budget has to be submitted by December 1, 2016, and we are submitting a level funded budget. Captain Canfield noted a rise in the numbers of serious incident calls received during the last month; including a number of significant arrests involving drug activity. The Captain advised the Officers and Detectives have been doing an admirable job. Commissioner Tarr inquired if there is any formula used for calls of service versus the budget. Chief Adams advised during our budget presentation we do discuss numbers regarding activity, but it is not solely focused on that. The Chief advised our overtime line item is not a significant amount of money and we do go through that pretty quickly, but we also create other ways to compensate for those shortfalls. B. Support Division -- No Discussion C. Operations Division. Lieutenant Richard Simmons advised the Citizen’s Academy just held their graduation this afternoon and believes it went very well. The Lieutenant advised the next class will be held again in the fall and we will probably be going back to Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chairman Whittum inquired if there has been any thought given to hold a class Commission Meeting Minutes November 17, 2016 Page 3 in the Spring as well. Chief Adams advised there is a lot of time and effort involved by the people involved, from those who teach the classes to the organization, and a lot of time is volunteered as well. Chief Adams advised it is actually quite an eye opener and recognized Lieutenant Simmons with appreciation for getting it done. Commissioner Maheux advised there is a lot of work involved and most of the trainers volunteer their time. D. Detective Division. Lieutenant Thomas Swett inquired if there were any questions on the numbers and noted the number of follow-ups being done has increased which is keeping the Detective Unit very busy. Captain Canfield advised the Department is currently down three positions and when these positions are filled, an Officer will be transferred to the Detective Bureau. Chairman Whittum inquired about the transfer process and was advised Officers are requested to submit a letter of interest for the position. E. Legal Division. Prosecutor James Sawyer advised he had the opportunity to present at the Citizen’s Academy concerning the Court Docket and Criminal Procedure which was a nice discussion. The Prosecutor advised he also spoke during Roll Call in reference to a Grant focusing on drug investigations and Search and Seizures as well as Reasonable Suspicion Standards. III. Orders and Bulletins -- No Discussion IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of October 20, 2016, Minutes and October 31, 2016, Non-Public Session Minutes V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights. Chief Adams advised we had 31 domestic disturbance calls, 97 other disturbances and 10 suicidal subjects, 12 Laconia Police Department volunteer hours and 14 hours from our volunteers with 11 victims served. Chairman Whittum inquired what ‘‘Other Disturbances’’ would include, and was advised a fight, loud party, or any other disturbances. B. Monthly Fleet Report. Chairman Whittum inquired at what point in time is a car just removed from service. Lieutenant Graton advised when a car reaches a point where the costs outweigh its worth, but they are also on a cycle and front line cars are typically rotated when they reach the 100,000 miles mark. The Lieutenant advised we are scheduled to have a new car on line very soon. Commission Meeting Minutes November 17, 2016 Page 4 C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics -- No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics. Chief Adams advised we have seen a 14% rise in Crimes Against Property and a 12% rise in Crimes Against Society. E. Budget Print-Out. Captain Canfield advised the budget is right on target. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chief Adams advised there were 50 accidents investigated with 9 injuries and no fatalities, and noted the majority of the accidents were as a result of unsafe backing and distracted driving. Chief Adams advised we now have Highway Safety Grants which will focus on distracted driving enforcement and is hoping this will decrease the number of accidents. VI. Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised a thank you was received from a member of the Citizen’s Academy who had participated in the Ride Along Program. Chief Adams advised a thank you was received for Lieutenant Simmons regarding a seminar he participated in with regard to Suicide Prevention, a thank you was received for our contribution to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation Spelling Bee, and a thank you was received from Max who seems to be doing better. VII. Chief’s Report A. Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised we received a lower than usual number of report cards, but all were positive. B. Pumpkin Festival -- Chief Adams advised Pumpkin Festival was once again a huge success even though the weather was not in our favor. The Chief advised that Captain Canfield puts in an extraordinary amount of time getting the Operations Plan together, and it is rumored they are contemplating extending it to two days in the future. C. CALEA Re-Accreditation -- Chief Adams again expressed thank you to Robin and Lieutenant Graton for a job well done. D. New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Graduation -- December 16, 2016. Chief Adams advised Officer Kira Goodheart and Officer Matthew Wolak will be graduating from the Academy on December 16, 2016. E. D.A.R.E. Graduations -- Chief Adams advised the D.A.R.E. Graduations were very successful and commended Officer Cardinal for her efforts throughout the Commission Meeting Minutes November 17, 2016 Page 5 D.A.R.E. Program. Commissioner Maheux advised Officer Cardinal does a marvelous job interacting with all of the graduates. VIII. Old Business -- No Discussion IX. New Business -- Chief Adams advised we once again served the turkey dinner at the Woodland Heights School this year and expressed appreciation for all those who participated. X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting -- December 15, 2016 XI. Other Business -- No Discussion XII. Citizen Comments Dennis Lintz, Safe Haven, Laconia. Dennis advised of a second notice to respond regarding rise in crime rates and statistics and inquired if informants be excused, and mentioned an increase in activities by the color of law by informants. Chief Adams advised we do not discuss informants or undercover operations for obvious reasons. 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. . On a motion by Chairman Whittum, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (a), the Laconia Police Commission entered into Non-Public Session at 3:30 p.m. At 3:40 p.m., the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, with a unanimous vote to maintain the Minutes as confidential, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3,III. Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to approve the recommendation made by Chief Adams regarding a personnel matter, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to seal the Minutes, moved by Commissioner Tarr, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously.