Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES MAY 18, 2022 3:00 P.M. 5/18/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Whittum called the meeting to Order at the above date and time. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman Whittum lead the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Executive Assistant Lori Marsh. 4. ROLL CALL 4.A. Chairman Whittum recognized Commissioners present - Chairman Douglas Whittum, Commissioner Frank Mello and Commissioner Scott Davis. 4.B. Chairman Whittum recognized Staff present - Chief Matthew Canfield 4.C. Chairman Whittum recognized a quorum has been established and there are three Commission members present. 5. PERSONNEL MATTERS 5.A. Commendations & Awards No discussion. 5.B. Resignations/Retirement No discussion. 5.C. Promotions/Classification Change No discussion. 6. COMMAND STAFF REPORTS 6.A. Chief - Support Division Chief Canfield reported the following: They have been busy maintaining several grants, as well as applying for some new ones. 6.A. Chief - Support Division Chief Canfield reported the following: They have been busy maintaining several grants, as well as applying for some new ones. The Mobile Command Post vehicle that was obtained through Federal grant funds and was 100% funded is on track to be delivered within the next couple of months, at which time it will need to have the final outfit by our radio outfitter and have final details installed. It will not be ready in time for Motorcycle Week, but hopefully shortly after that in July or the beginning of August. They have been working on a COPS Micro-Grant, which again is 100% grant funded. This will fund the ability to send two officers to the Mountain Bike Instructor School, which is held outside the State of New Hampshire. We used to have a very robust mountain bike instructor program and held the class at our police department and teach other agencies. We haven't done that since Dennis Ashley retired. The ability to have two instructors able to teach that class enables us to send our own officers to the class for no fee. He indicated he is looking to revive that and this grant would also cover, in addition to their training, the travel costs and the purchase of two additional bicycles and uniforms, as well as additional bicycle equipment. They are also working on another COPS Micro-Grant for what is called a technology wall. This would go into the dispatch center. Essentially it is a large monitor that would go the length of the wall and would enable us to pull cameras. Currently we have access to IP cameras for certain locations, including the schools, not that we monitor all the time and would only do so if there was an emergency. We would be able to collate all of those IP addresses and just click and drag them onto that screen in the event something were to happen such as an active shooter. This is technology that is going into a lot of real time crime centers around the country. We attempted to obtain this through another grant; however, we didn't receive funding through that, so we are trying for it on this current grant. Additionally, we were funded for the Emergency Response Trailer, which was again 100% grant funded with Federal grant money. This is a trailer that will contain emergency response equipment such as traffic cones, traffic signs, and equipment for a large incident that we may have to be at for a while. That is being built in Loudon and we have been told that it is all done except for the actual shelving, and we should take delivery in approximately one month. A lot of good work from the Support Division. 6.A.i. Orders & Bulletins 6.B. Chief - Operations Division Chief Canfield reported the following: They are in the final prep for Motorcycle Week. Lieutenant Finogle has been busy with that. He has had a little bit of a hard time getting outside agencies to work due to the time of year and whatnot, but they are bringing those to final preparations. We have a meeting next Wednesday on May 25th at 10:00 am. This will be our typical annual Motorcycle Week meeting with outside agencies, where we bring in all of the agencies who are involved in policing Motorcycle Week or other agencies within the county to make sure everyone is on the same page. As we have done in years past, we will be utilizing U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, who will be providing their helicopter for both weekends for air support.  agencies who are involved in policing Motorcycle Week or other agencies within the county to make sure everyone is on the same page. As we have done in years past, we will be utilizing U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, who will be providing their helicopter for both weekends for air support. There has been a lot of good networking and a lot of good teamwork amongst a number of our partner agencies. This weekend is New England Coffeefest downtown, which looks to be a really nice family event downtown on Friday evening and all day Saturday. They have done the Operational Plan for that event. Additionally, the Wake the Lake event will be held this weekend up on Lakeside Avenue in the Weirs. Finally, they have been very busy with call volume and some serious calls they have handled lately. Some really good work out of the entire Operations Division. 6.B.i. Hirings 7. COMMISSION ACTION 7.A. Acceptance of minutes from previous meeting On a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, and passed unanimously, the meeting minutes of March 16, 2022 were accepted as distributed. 7.B. Out-of-State School(s) Chief Canfield advised there are two school lrequests: The first is a request by Officer Goodheart and Officer Thompson to attend the Overdose Death Investigations school in Methuen, Massachusetts. The cost is $300.00 for both to attend. Given the number of overdoses we have had historically and the number of overdoses we had last year, it is certainly a good training for them to attend as the initial response to overdose investigations. The second request is from himself to attend the FBI National Academy Re-Training Program in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a program that he has Attended annually for graduates of the National Academy to catch up on latest training and late technology available for law enforcement. On a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, and passed unanimously, the above Overdose Death Investigation school was approved. On a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, and passed unanimously, the above FBI National Academy Re-Training Program was approved. 8. REVIEW OF MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORTS 8.A. Department Monthly Highlights Chief Canfield reviewed the Department Monthly Highlights report. Chairman Whittum noted that the numbers appear down compared to last year. Chief  8.A. Department Monthly Highlights Chief Canfield reviewed the Department Monthly Highlights report. Chairman Whittum noted that the numbers appear down compared to last year. Chief Canfield agreed and noted the numbers do not appear correct to him and he will be checking on this. 8.B. Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics Chief Canfield reviewed the Criminal Investigative Unit Statistics. No further discussion. 8.C. Budget Reports Chief Canfield advised we are at 71.15% through the budget year and we are currently trending $99,464.00 under budget, so we are right on track. Commissioner Davis inquired if we have any vacancies. Chief Canfield advised we currently have one vacancy and are waiting on a student who graduates in May from College. This student was a CRO with us the last couple of years. His background is done and he actually starts the Friday prior to Memorial Day Weekend working as a CRO for a few weeks to train the three new CRO's and he will then start the in-house academy for June 20th and will be sworn in as a Police Officer right after that. That will bring us to full staff. In addition, we have two additional background investigations going on two other candidates to fill the two of the three grant positions for Eric Adams' position. In the City Manager's budget, he recommended we hire one additional position, so it will actually give us a total of four additional positions, so we've begun to recruit for that with an anticipated hire date after July 1st. We have been fortunate in the area of retention and hiring. In speaking with other agencies, they are down positions and we are fortunate to maintain the quality staff we have. Commissioner Mello said this talks a lot of leadership. Chief Canfield noted it is a team effort and we like to hire quality people that fit our mold of policing. He indicated our employees work hard and do a good job and love what they do. Commissioner Mello commented on what nice officers we have. He indicated they are polite and good with the public and are probably one of the best police departments in the area. Chief Canfield agreed. 8.D. Monthly Traffic Statistics Chief Canfield reviewed the Monthly Traffic Statistics, noting they have been busy in the traffic enforcement department. Commissioner Davis commented that these numbers also appear to have gone down and visibility seems like a likely factor attributing to this. Chief Canfield advised he will take a further look into these numbers as well. 8.E. Monthly Fleet Report No discussion. 9. CORRESPONDENCE TO/FROM THE DEPARTMENT Chief Canfield advised we received a letter from a person who wished to thank us for arresting her. At first he said he wasn't sure how to take it, but after reviewing the case it appears they were being sincere, as this got them into the system and got them the help they needed. 9. CORRESPONDENCE TO/FROM THE DEPARTMENT Chief Canfield advised we received a letter from a person who wished to thank us for arresting her. At first he said he wasn't sure how to take it, but after reviewing the case it appears they were being sincere, as this got them into the system and got them the help they needed. There was also a letter of appreciation for Sergeant Cameron, Officer Skehan and Detective Howe, who assisted with training at the New Hampshire Police Standards & Training Academy. Finally, a thank you was received from a Girls Scout troupe thanking us for a tour of the station. 10. CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Canfield reported the following: We have conducted interviews for a dispatch position and we have a potential candidate in the pipeline for that. As mentioned prior, the backgrounds on two police officer candidates are in process and two part time Community Resource Officers backgrounds were completed and they will be starting Memorial Day weekend. We participated in the Drug Take Back Day through DEA. We collected a total of twelve boxes of unused medications, which weighed in at 500 lbs. of drugs. Certainly a really popular program and a good way to get these drugs out of the accessibility of people. Overall for New Hampshire they collected 445 boxes, which equaled 11,811 lbs. of drugs. Chief Canfield reviewed the Drug Overdose statistics. He indicated detectives are looking to make an arrest from a case from last year as a death resulting case. They went to Rhode Island to conduct follow up and are looking to wrap this up in the next couple of weeks. These are very complicated and difficult cases. We made two or three arrests last year for death resulting cases where someone sold drugs to someone, which knowingly caused their death. Really good work on their part. Last year we had a total of 17 overdose deaths and we are waiting on two toxicology reports for two others. This is very high and significantly higher than the prior year. The budget presentation to the City Council has been set for June 6th at 7:00 pm at City Hall. He participated with Detective Eric Adams at a Real Estate Safety and Wellness event conducted at the Opera House on May 6th, where they interacted with a large group of people and showcase what we do. It was a very good community event. We have heard several demonstrations for a new dispatch recording system. We replaced the phone system in the police department and as a result, the recording system in dispatch does not integrate with that system correctly. The recording system is about a dozen years old and is in need of replacement. This has been funded through the City Council, so we are just looking to put it out to bid and select a vendor. We worked with Kiwanis last Saturday conducting a Bike Rodeo and safety class at the Laconia Middle School, which was very well attended. He will be attending the New England Public Safety Showcase at the Beane Center tomorrow to learn about the latest in technology for radio systems and communications. On Friday he and Eric Adams will be traveling to Manchester to meet with the Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, who is flying up from Washington, D.C. Apparently he caught some interest in the Department of Justice Grant that we received for Eric Adams' position, so he is flying up to meet with myself, Eric Adams, Attorney General's Office, Senator Hassan and Congressman Pappas, to learn more about the expansion of the P.E.T. Program statewide. In addition, he is going to learn about the Adverse Childhood Trauma Team. Pretty neat to get some recognition out of Washington D.C. on an effort that was started here.  On Friday he and Eric Adams will be traveling to Manchester to meet with the Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, who is flying up from Washington, D.C. Apparently he caught some interest in the Department of Justice Grant that we received for Eric Adams' position, so he is flying up to meet with myself, Eric Adams, Attorney General's Office, Senator Hassan and Congressman Pappas, to learn more about the expansion of the P.E.T. Program statewide. In addition, he is going to learn about the Adverse Childhood Trauma Team. Pretty neat to get some recognition out of Washington D.C. on an effort that was started here. 11. OLD BUSINESS No discussion. 12. NEW BUSINESS No discussion. 13. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Davis advised he was walking at Ahern Park last Thursday and came across the senior skip day attendees, who were from a Massachusetts school. He rode his bike down the next morning and discovered mounds of trash. He said he understands the New Hampshire Department of Parks and Rec. hauled about 800 lbs of trash out of there. He noted there was one 2020 graduate of Laconia High School by the name of Adam Michalewicz who down there by 8:00 am picking up trash by himself. He stopped and talked with him and Adam indicated he uses the area frequently and he wanted to make it clean for others and thought it was the right thing to do. No one asked him to do it and he just did it on his own. Commissioner Davis indicated he drafted a letter on behalf of the Commission to thank Adam and show that his efforts are appreciated. Commissioner Davis said he also sent pictures and an email to the Principal of the high school these kids attend. Chief Canfield suggested we invite Mr. Michalewicz to the next Police Commission meeting to recognize him for his contribution. Commissioner Mello suggested we also have the Daily Sun attend. 14. CITIZEN COMMENTS No citizen comments. 15. CONFIRMATION OF NEXT MEETING DATE The next Regular meeting date of June 15, 2022 at 3:30 was confirmed. 16. ADJOURNMENT On a Motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Mello, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 3:34 pm.