Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MAY 18, 2017, MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM #200A 45 BEACON STREET EAST, LACONIA, NH – 3:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Douglas A. Whittum called the Meeting to Order SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Chairman Douglas Whittum led the Pledge of Allegiance RECORDING SECRETARY – Administrative Assistant Deborah M. Sawicki ROLL CALL – Chairman Douglas A. Whittum, Commissioner Armand E. Maheux, and Commissioner Thomas K. Tarr Chairman Whittum recognizes Staff Present – Chief Matthew J. Canfield, Captain Allan L. Graton, Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons, Lieutenant Thomas E. Swett, Lieutenant Michael P. Finogle 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 Matthew J. Canfield advised this week is National Peace Officers Memorial Week and a time to pay special attention to those Law Enforcement Officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Chief Canfield advised it is also a time when we honor our Officers and employees for their outstanding performance during the past year. The Chief advised this year’s annual awards ceremony will be held on May 31, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. at Pitman’s Freight Room. B. Training – Lieutenant Michael P. Finogle advised Officer Michelle K. Cardinal will be attending a course entitled Digital Photography for Law Enforcement Level I in Meriden, Connecticut. The Lieutenant advised there is no cost to the Department for attendance at this school and Officer Cardinal will be staying with family. Commissioner Thomas K. Tarr noted the immediate Supervisor had not approved the request and inquired if this can be overridden, and was advised yes. Chief Canfield advised there may have been a concern regarding the cost, but as the Officer will be staying with family, there is no cost to the Department. Com- missioner Tarr inquired if this means Officer Cardinal will be the Department’s official photographer. Chief Canfield advised Detective Kendra L. Neri is also an official photographer, thus giving us two. C. Miscellaneous – Laconia Links. Chief Canfield advised there was an article in reference to the Take Back Campaign which was held on April 29, 2017, information on the Stand-Up Laconia Lock Box Campaign, and a photograph Laconia Police Commission May 18, 2017 Minutes Page 2 regarding the swearing-in ceremony for Chief Canfield which was held on April 28, 2017, and included the promotions for Captain Allan L. Graton, Lieutenant Michael P. Finogle and Sergeant Gary F. Allen. D. Resignations/Retirement – No Discussion E. Hirings – Lieutenant Finogle advised we have two Officers currently attending the Police Academy. Chairman Douglas A. Whittum inquired of the graduation date and was advised it will be late in August. Commissioner Armand E. Maheux inquired if this brings us up to full complement and was advised we still have two positions to fill. F. Promotions/Reorganization – No Discussion II. Division/Bureau Commander’s Forum A. Division/Bureau Commander. Captain Allan L. Graton advised he is working on the Operational Plan for Motorcycle week and Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons has contacted most of our partners; just waiting to hear back from the University of New Hampshire. Commissioner Maheux inquired if the graduation will lower our numbers and was advised that is taking place this weekend. The Captain advised the Operational Plan for the 4th of July celebration is also under way and there is a meeting scheduled with all the Departments involved in the City on the Lakes Triathlon which will take place in August to determine how many Officers will be needed. B. Support Division. Lieutenant Finogle advised work has been done on the Armory, including the installation of new racks for better organization and space has been made available for future rifles. The Lieutenant advised the break room was repainted and we are currently looking into a ventilation system for the Evidence Room and the Armory. C. Operations Division. Lieutenant Richard E. Simmons advised Officer Jonathan R. Howe will be doing a Bicycle Safety talk in conjunction with the Meredith Rotary and there has been recent concern regarding needles being found at Opechee Park. The Lieutenant advised Officer Cardinal participated in a Job Fair for the Laconia High School Seniors. Lieutenant Simmons advised Officer Donald W. Kimtis and Officer Steven A. Orton, as well as spending time in the schools until the end of the school year, will be on the schedule to work in the Weirs on the weekends. D. Detective Division. Lieutenant Thomas E. Swett advised the Granite Hammer Grant Funding winds up at the end of next month and he has been working with Laconia Police Commission May 18, 2017 Minutes Page 3 Captain Graton in reference to the placement of cameras on Lakeside Avenue as the City has removed all of the poles. The Lieutenant advised Evidence Technician Dennis L. Ashley has been working hard to clean up the evidence room and has done an impressive job. Lieutenant Swett advised there has been a lot of planning going on regarding ALERT Training, there will be an Active Shooter regional exercise in September, and a meeting to follow in reference to Granite Hammer and the hopes of applying for more funding. Commissioner Maheux inquired if the drug activity has slowed down at all and Lieutenant Swett advised it would be very difficult to quantify that. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the Granite Hammer funding and was advised it is authorized through the Governor’s Budget. E. Legal Division. Prosecutor James A. Sawyer said Dennis has done an amazing job and he has never seen the evidence room so orderly; kudos to him. Jim advised there will be some changes in District Court as Judge James Carroll will be retiring on June 16, 2017, but he will be staying on as a referee for civil work and overseeing the Recovery Court, and believes Judge Garner will be taking over as the Presiding Justice. The Prosecutor advised Chief Canfield has orchestrated a recognition for our volunteers which will take place at our Victims Services Unit Meeting this afternoon. Commissioner Tarr inquired about Compliance Court and was advised Judge Carroll will be overlooking this and that Genesis employees are also present which opens communication between Genesis and their clients. III. Orders and Bulletins - Lieutenant Finogle advised there was a lot of training in the past month. Chairman Whittum advised the Department encourages Officers to attend training which is beyond reproach. Commissioner Tarr inquired about the training request submitted by Officer Walsworth. Chief Canfield advised Officer Walsworth pursued this as she felt she needed additional training in this area and came forward on her own. IV. Commission Action A. Acceptance of April 20, 2017, Minutes. B. Motion to Accept Out-of-State Training Request – Digital Photography for Law Enforcement Level I – Officer Michelle K. Cardinal. Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to approve the out-of-State training request submitted by Officer Cardinal, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. V. Review of Monthly Activity Reports Laconia Police Commission May 18, 2017 Minutes Page 4 A. Department Monthly Highlights. Chief Canfield advised there were 36 domestic disturbances, 9 suicidal subjects and 5 violations of restraining orders. The Chief advised there were 25 ½ victim service volunteer hours last month, and noted these are very dedicated individuals who come in on their own time and to show our appreciation, we are going to honor them today. Chief Canfield advised we responded to a total of 1,490 calls for service, arrests are on par, with warnings slightly down over the same month last year, and accidents were slightly up. Commissioner Tarr inquired if the written warnings are entered into a data base and the Chief advised they are entered into our system. Commissioner Tarr inquired if someone receives a written warning and is pulled over again, would they be issued a Summons. Chief Canfield advised this is at the Officer’s discretion, but they do have the ability to run the record and make the determination as to whether a Summons will be issued or not. B. Monthly Fleet Report. Chairman Whittum inquired if the vehicles are rotated so the mileage can remain relatively the same. Captain Graton advised when the newer cars come on line, one or two officers are assigned to them in order to help keep the mileage down. The Captain advised when Car 15 was totaled, we missed out on getting a replacement, so we didn’t have the opportunity to replace the two high mileage cars. Captain Graton advised we like to get rid of the cars before they reach 100,000 miles, but due to unforeseen circumstances, this isn’t always possible. C. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics – No Discussion D. Monthly Patrol Division Statistics. Chief Canfield advised Crimes Against Persons is down 17%, Crimes Against Property down 33%, Crimes Against Society slightly up, and Group B Crimes slightly down. E. Budget Print-Out. Chief Canfield advised he met with Donna a week ago and our budget is right on and we will finish the year under budget. The Chief advised our Budget Presentation is scheduled for June 5, 2017. Chairman Whittum complimented the Department on the ability to stay under budget year after year. F. Monthly Traffic Statistics. Chief Canfield advised we responded to 41 accidents, compared to 29 last year for the same month. The Chief advised parking tickets are slow at this time of the year, but with the Community Resource Officers starting, we should see the parking tickets go up. Chief Canfield advised parking in the Weirs has changed and there are no meters, but there are parking kiosks and we will be working in conjunction with Parks and Rec for parking at the beach which will be kiosk as well. Commissioner Maheux inquired when this will go into effect and was advised the kiosks have not been installed yet, but it is anticipated they will be before Memorial Day. Chief Canfield advised this will require a little training with the Community Resource Officers. Commissioner Maheux inquired about the major Laconia Police Commission May 18, 2017 Minutes Page 5 cause of the accidents and Chief Canfield advised driver distraction continues to be a problem. Lieutenant Swett advised we had a huge snow storm as well and we always have more accidents as a result. VI. Correspondence to and from the Department. Chief Canfield advised there were thank yous from several interns, an Officer Safety message sent out to the Department in reference to an Officer who was killed in Ohio, and a thank you from Judi Lundh for Police Week. Chairman Whittum advised there was also a thank you from a youth regarding dealings with Selective Mutism. Chief Canfield advised we really appreciate being recognized. Lieutenant Simmons advised we have worked with Plymouth State and New England College with regard to internships who fill out the applications stating their goals and everyone who has applied has been given the opportunity to participate in the program. Lieutenant Simmons noted the mentorship of this program provides lasting impressions, and years later, there is still a very strong connection. VII. Chief’s Report. Chief Canfield advised it is National Police Week and a time to reflect and thank everyone for their service. The Chief advised during the year 2016, 145 Officers paid the ultimate sacrifice throughout our Nation; fortunately none were lost in the State of New Hampshire. The Chief advised there will be a Memorial held in Concord on May 19, 2017, to honor those who have lost their lives for those interested in attending. A. Chief’s Welcoming Remarks. Chief Canfield thanked everyone who attended the swearing-in ceremony and advised he looks forward to a smooth transition of leadership. The Chief advised he is honored to be appointed as the Chief of Police for the City of Laconia Police Department and will do his best to further our Mission and the level of quality policing we provide. B. Performance Assessment Report Cards. The Chief advised we had four; all of which were good. C. National Prescription Take Back Day – Chief Canfield advised the National Prescription Take Back Day took place on April 29, 2017, and we collected thirteen boxes, weighing approximately 650 pounds. The Chief advised there were a lot of drugs. D. Motorcycle Week Breakfast Briefing – May 31, 2017. Chief Canfield advised the Motorcycle Week Breakfast Briefing is scheduled for May 31, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. at the Woodside Building at the Taylor Community. E. Woodland Heights School Spring BBQ – May 26, 2017. Chief Canfield advised we received an invitation from the Woodland Heights School to participate once again in their annual Spring BBQ; to be held on May 26, 2017, during the lunch hour. Laconia Police Commission May 18, 2017 Minutes Page 6 F. Annual Department Awards Ceremony – May 31, 2017. Chief Canfield advised our annual Awards Ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m. on May 31, 2017, at the Pitman’s Freight Room. G. Carfentanil – Chief Canfield advised this is a new drug which is more powerful than Fentanyl, is extremely dangerous, and started as an elephant tranquillizer. The Chief advised we have provided Officers with safety equipment and additional training regarding overdose calls. Commissioner Tarr inquired if an Officer in New Hampshire was subjected to Carfentanil and was advised this took place in Ohio. Lieutenant Simmons advised this particular Officer had done everything right during the drug search, and it was just a matter of where he brushed something off of his clothing and was infected. Chief Canfield advised if it is airborne, it is more of a risk. H. Housekeeping – Chief Canfield advised we spent less than $300 on hardware and paint supplies to repaint the break room and redo the Armory. The Chief advised it is nice to have employees with the skills who are able to do this; at an obvious savings to the City. Commissioner Maheux advised it would be nice to recognize the Officers for doing the extra things and at no cost to the City. VIII. Old Business – No Discussion IX. New Business – No Discussion X. Confirm Date of Next Regular or Special Meeting – June 22, 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 Tarr, seconded by Commissioner Maheux, 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. Discussion ensued relative to Contract Negotiations and Chief Canfield’s rate of pay. Laconia Police Commission May 18, 2017 Minutes Page 7 At 3:55 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 Contract, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to approve the Non-Union benefits, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to approve the Chief’s rate of pay of $107,500, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. Chairman Whittum entertained a motion to seal the Minutes, moved by Commissioner Maheux, seconded by Commissioner Tarr, and passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.