Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION FEBRUARY 16, 2017, MINUTES CONFERENCE ROOM #200A, LACONIA CITY HALL 45 BEACON STREET EAST, LACONIA, NH – 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Douglas 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, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, and Commissioner Thomas K. Tarr (Via Satellite) Chairman Whittum recognizes Staff Present -- Chief Christopher A. Adams, Captain Matthew J. Canfield, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, 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 -- Sergeant Robert Cameron, Bryson Reed, Paramedic Nathan Mills, AEMT Dennis Comeau and Dispatcher Lisa Boone- Grantham. Chief Christopher Adams advised we are here to recognize Sergeant Robert Cameron, Bryson Reed, Paramedic Nathan Mills, AEMT Dennis Comeau and Dispatcher Lisa Boone-Grantham for the great job they did in response to a medical emergency. The Chief advised the Laconia Police Department had received a 911 call from a young child and through inter- agency communications, was able to provide the response and medical aid needed to save the life of an individual. Chief Adams wanted to especially thank Bryson for his quick thinking which ultimately saved the life of his father. Bryson was presented with gifts from E-911, the Laconia Police Department and the Laconia Fire Department to show appreciation. Commissioner Thomas Tarr reiterated the Chief’s sentiments and thanked everyone for a job well done. B. Training -- Lieutenant Allan Graton advised training is currently focusing on training for collision avoidance, pathogen exposures and stress management. The Lieutenant advised are two newest Officers are finishing up their in-house training and should be ready to go out on their own in the very near future. C. Miscellaneous -- Laconia Links. Chief Adams advised there was an article with regard to Coffee with a Cop which took place at Sunrise Towers. The Chief advised it was well attended and there were many questions posed with regard Laconia Police Commission February 16, 2017, Minutes Page 2 to crime trends, the opiate crisis, motor vehicle laws and creative solutions to address these issues. Chief Adams advised he spent several hours with students from two classes at the Empire Beauty School discussing safety protocols, active shooters, and the drug epidemic and addiction, which was a great event. The Chief advised the 2017 Winnipesaukee Dip will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at noon, at the Margate Resort to raise money in support of Special Olympics of New Hampshire. Chief Adams advised Officers are sporting beards in support of the event. D. Resignations/Retirement -- No Discussion E. Hirings -- Officer Tyler E. Rouse, Officer Ryan J. Sickler and Dispatcher Kori E. Low. Lieutenant Graton advised Tyler is from upstate New York and he attended Springfield College before transferring to the University of New Hampshire where he received a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts, majoring in Psychology, and he also played football and was on the Rugby Team. The Lieutenant advised while Tyler was attending UNH, he saw a lot of our Officers on the campus which attracted his interest in this Department. Lieutenant Graton advised that Ryan is currently residing in Amherst and is here with his father, Jim, his mother, Ellen, and his girlfriend, Victoria. The Lieutenant advised Ryan attended Norwich University and graduated in 2016 with a Degree in Criminal Justice. Chief welcomed Ryan and Tyler onboard and wished them many years of employment with the Laconia Police Department. Chief also thanked Justice of the Peace Ann Kaligian for being here today to swear in Officer Rouse and Officer Sickler, and who actually swore him in many years ago. Lieutenant Graton advised that Kori will be working in the capacity as a part-time Dispatcher and she has been interested in working with us for a while. The Lieutenant advised that Kori’s father had worked for the Department and Kori is following in his footsteps. Chief Adams advised Kori’s dad was an amazing person and employee with this Department. F. Promotions/Reorganization -- No Discussion II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander -- Captain Matthew Canfield advised we continue with the Active Shooter presentations with the next one scheduled to take place at Healthlink, and we are also in the process of doing safety assessments for some of the bigger businesses in town as well. The Captain advised we will be working with Homeland Security and the Woodland Heights Staff in March, and following up with active shooter training with our officers and neighboring departments as well. Captain Canfield advised Motorcycle Week planning has Laconia Police Commission February 16, 2017, Minutes Page 3 begun, the Sled Dog Races will be taking place this weekend as well, and there is a Budget Meeting next week to talk about some of the numbers. 1) BCI Year End Drug Unit Report. Captain Canfield advised these statistics are just for the drug unit itself and the two detectives working the cases alone; noting one hundred people were indicted last year, $4,860.58 worth of currency was seized along with three firearms and eighteen other weapons. The Captain advised with the Granite Hammer Grant funding, Detectives and Officers will be given additional opportunity to focus on the drug activity and specifically addressing the drug problems. Commissioner Armand Maheux inquired how much headway we are making on suppliers and was advised most of them are the suppliers. Commissioner Tarr inquired about those who have been arrested and how many have been adjudicated so far. The Captain advised a good percentage as most of them are Felonies and with Felonies First, they are going through the system a lot faster. 2) Initial Personnel Complaints -- 2016. Captain Canfield advised any time a complaint is generated, whether it is by a civilian or another employee, an initial personnel complaint is generated and for 2016, there were twenty-seven. Commissioner Tarr inquired how many different employees were involved in this number and it was estimated there were twenty with the majority of the complaints being brought forward by Supervisors. Commissioner Tarr also inquired about the Use of Force complaints, and Captain Canfield advised if someone incurs an injury during an arrest, we look at those a lot closer even if there is no allegation of wrongdoing. Commissioner Tarr inquired if the twenty- seven complaints are internally generated and was advised these include internal and external complaints. Chairman Douglas Whittum noted a conflict in the total numbers and was advised there were some problems with the program that was used to total the numbers. Commissioner Tarr inquired who comprises the internal affairs unit. Captain Canfield advised if it is a more serious allegation, it is investigated by a Lieutenant and the less serious are assigned to a Sergeant. 3) Internal Affairs Summary -- 2016. Captain Canfield advised there were four Internal Affairs Investigations; one for Unsatisfactory Performance, one for Truthfulness and two for Use of Force. The Captain advised discipline included two days of suspension and two of the investigations were unfounded. B. Support Division. Lieutenant Graton advised there were some issues with the Laconia Police Commission February 16, 2017, Minutes Page 4 garage door and the sally port shower. The Lieutenant advised we are working on getting a quote for some ventilation in the evidence room and also so weapons can be cleaned in the Armory itself, some carpet repair is also needed, and we are working with Parks and Recreation on that. C. Operations Division. Lieutenant Richard Simmons advised the number of motor vehicle accidents was up which may be attributed to the weather, and we have pushed for more motor vehicle enforcement; noting a rise in the number of motor vehicle stops. The Lieutenant advised Officer Michelle Cardinal will be starting D.A.R.E. next month at the Middle School which is about an hour a day, but will touch base with most of the students in the school. Commissioner Maheux inquired if we have a new D.A.R.E. Officer yet and was advised not yet, but Michelle will be teaching the class. D. Detective Division -- No Discussion E. Legal Division. Prosecutor James Sawyer advised he will be meeting with the potential intern in the second week of March who may be here for the summer. III. Orders and Bulletins - Commissioner Tarr inquired how many Firearms Instructors we currently have and was advised four, and with the addition of Officer Richard Basssett, we will have five. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the ratio of instructors to shooters while on the range. Lieutenant Graton advised there is always a minimum of two; one who is running and a safety officer for instruction. Commissioner Maheux inquired how many times a year they need to qualify and was advised the requirement is once a year, but there is also training in the fall for less tactical firearms instruction. IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of January 19, 2017 V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports A. Department Monthly Highlights. Chief Adams advised there were a total of 27 domestic disturbances, 99 general disturbances, 14 violations of restraining orders, and 6 victims were served. Chairman Whittum inquired how many volunteers we have at this time and Commissioner Tarr inquired about the number of victims served. The Chief advised we currently have five volunteers; four of them working directly with the Prosecutor’s Office, and this includes contacting the victims of offenses to update them on how their case is progressing. Prosecutor Sawyer advised there were at least ten letters sent out last month which is the biggest way we have contact with the victims. Jim Laconia Police Commission February 16, 2017, Minutes Page 5 advised one of the victims has been out for a week or two with a flu type issue and there was also a loss in the family which has cut down on some of the hours. The Prosecutor advised one of the volunteers works with Sentence Reviews, one does the shredding and three who work in the Victims Service Unit. B. Monthly Fleet Report -- No Discussion C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics -- No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics. Chief Adams advised we have experienced a decreases in Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property, Crimes Against Society and Group B Crimes. The Chief advised it is early in the year, but decreases are a welcome sight. E. Budget Print-Out. Captain Canfield advised we are right on track with the budget. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chief advised we have experienced a slight increase in the number of accidents which may be a direct result of all the snow received, but nothing major. VI. Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Adams advised there was a thank you note from the Pleasant Street School for Officer Jonathan Howe who is going there regularly and recently brought them Valentine’s Day cards, a thank you from the Empire Beauty School, one from Sergeant Scott Roy for his Christmas gift, and a thank you to Lieutenant Graton from Kori for helping her get onto the department. Commissioner Maheux inquired of the complement for Dispatch and was advised Kori is going to be working part-time. Chief Adams advised there was a thank you from Brenda’s Ride as well and the Laconia Friendship Club who invited Officers to a luncheon where they were recognized for service to the community and presented with a check for the Association and a Law Enforcement Flag. VII. Chief’s Report A. Performance Assessment Report Cards. Chief Adams advised there were six report cards and all were A’s. Chairman Whittum believes his sense is those who don’t respond are having their expectations met. Chief Adams advised that is how he interprets it as well, and if someone is not happy with the service provided, they will call to speak with a Supervisor. VIII. Old Business -- No Discussion Laconia Police Commission February 16, 2017, Minutes Page 6 IX. New Business -- Chief Adams introduced members from the Empire Beauty School who presented blankets to the Department for distribution to the Homeless Community in Laconia. A representative from the Empire Beauty School advised they wanted to do something for the community and felt the blankets, some new, some gently used, and a baby blanket, could be used to keep people warm. Chief Adams advised we greatly appreciate the contribution and all the Empire Beauty School does for the community, and will make sure the blankets get to those in need. Commissioner Tarr noted this being a great thing to do and it will surely be appreciated. X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting -- March 16, 2017 XI. Other Business -- No Discussion XII. Citizen Comments -- No Discussion 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 3:40 p.m. At 3:50 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 seal the Minutes, moved by Commissioner Tarr, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.