Police Commission

LACONIA POLICE COMMISSION MEETING MAY 15, 2024 Meeting took place at 2:00 p.m. in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber, Laconia City Hall, 45 Beacon Street East, Laconia, New Hampshire 5/15/2024 - 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 led 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 with three Commission members present. 5. PERSONNEL MATTERS 5.A. Commendations & Awards Chief Canfield advised the Awards Ceremony has been moved to the fall; however, no date has been set yet. 5.B. Resignations/Retirement No discussion. 5.C. Promotions/Classification Change No discussion. 6. COMMAND STAFF REPORTS 6.A. Chief - Support Division  No discussion. 6. COMMAND STAFF REPORTS 6.A. Chief - Support Division Chief Canfield reported the following: Captain Graton has been working on our proposed pay scale adjustments, which has involved a tremendous amount of work, as well as year end budget mainteance. We are coming up to the end of May and our budget period ends June 30th, so we're trying to wrap up some loose ends and complete some projects so that everything can be billed out before the end of June. In addition, they have been doing a lot of grant maintenance, wrapping up some open grants for grant maintenance reporting. They are also working on a couple of new grants, which will be presented to the Commission as soon as the applications are complete. We have had the opportunity for several more grant opportunities. They have been working on the procurement of two Promethean boards, which will be paid for through our CIP Technology line item. These boards are essentially a combination white board and power point presentation and can also do Zoom meetings. There will be one board upstairs in the conference room and one portable board, which will make Zoom meetings of groups much easier. Lastly, they have been working very hard with Robin and Lakes Region Computer Consultants to switch over our current computer server to the new server. This has been a big undertaking and so far Robin has done a great job with Lakes Region Computer to make that happen. There have been a few glitches along the way, but nothing major and we hope to have that wrapped up within the next couple of weeks to get completely operating on the new system. 6.A.i. Orders and Bulletins Chairman Whittum noted that it's nice to see the officers taking advantage of all the opportunities that can enhance the department. Chief Canfield agreed, indicating we have always done a lot of training and fortunately we have been able to continue that, even though we scaled it back somewhat with being short staffed. As the schedule allows, we are continuing it. Some of them have been really good such as the peer recovery support for Detective Orton and the Laboratory DNA that was attended by several detectives. There are definitely some great training opportunities, as well as some leadership in the fall. 6.B. Chief - Operations Division Chief Canfield reported the following: They have been very busy planning for upcoming Motorcycle Week, including the operational plan that takes a significant amount of time, as well as the briefing breakfast, which will take place next week. Captain Finogle and Lieutenant Noyes have also been filling in for a number of Patrol Sergeant shifts, as they have been short staffed due to people taking time off and others for medical leave issues. 6.B.i. Hirings They continue to work on recruitment and conducting some oral boards. Currently we have three people in the background investigation phase and we are looking to do some more oral boards. It should be noted that even if we're able to fill those positions immediately, the impact  6.B.i. Hirings They continue to work on recruitment and conducting some oral boards. Currently we have three people in the background investigation phase and we are looking to do some more oral boards. It should be noted that even if we're able to fill those positions immediately, the impact is about a year out due to the amount of time it takes to actually get them on the schedule, the six-week in-house training, the time for them to attend academy for four months, and then return to do the fourteen week field training program. This is approximately a year process. He doesn't anticipate being able to hire them until the latter part of summer or most likely a September time frame based on staffing ability to teach the in-house academy. So we're probably a year to a year-and-a-half out once we fill the slot. Chairman Whittum inquired if most of the applicants come from a referral from people within the department or advertising and stuff that goes out. Chief Canfield advised it's a combination of both. We work closely with the Great Bay Community College, who does a written test, although lately they haven't produced a lot of results that we can chase down leads on interested applicants. We do get applicants randomly through the police app that we recruit on, which they are directed to through our social media outlets. And then we do get some who are direct referrals. We're hoping for more direct referrals from our employees, as generally speaking they can attest to their background and leads to a viable candidate. 7. COMMISSION ACTION 7.A. Acceptance of minutes from previous meeting On a Motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Mello, and passed unanimously, the meeting minutes of March 27, 2024 were accepted as distributed. 8. REVIEW OF MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORTS 8.A. Department Monthly Activity Highlights Chief Canfield reviewed the Department Monthly Activity Highlights report for April. No further discussion. 8.B. Criminal Investigative Unit Monthly Activity Report Chief Canfield reviewed the Criminal Investigate Unit Monthly Activity report for April. Chairman Whittum inquired if the sex offender registrations are new people moving in or those who are already here who are required to register. Chief Canfield advised it can be a combination of both, indicating a lot of them are required to register quarterly, but then there are some new people who have moved to the City and need to register in the new location where they reside. 8.C. Budget Reports Chief Canfield advised we are trending really well at 84.61% for the year and our current salary line item is at 78.45% spent. Right now we are trending about $470,000.00 under budget. He anticipates that to go up a bit due to open positions. There are some projects/expenditures that are already encumbered, which will bring that number down slightly, but he anticipate s being well under budget this year. 8.D. Monthly Traffic Report Chief Canfield reviewed the Monthly Traffic Report for April. No further discussion. 8.E. Monthly Fleet Report  8.D. Monthly Traffic Report Chief Canfield reviewed the Monthly Traffic Report for April. No further discussion. 8.E. Monthly Fleet Report Chief Canfield advised our last car is in the process of being outfitted. There was a hold up through Whalen in obtaining some of the equipment, but the car is pretty much outfitted and we are just awaiting a rear radio. Once that arrives, he would anticipate that car being on line very shortly. 9. CHIEF'S REPORT Chief Canfield reported the following: He would like to recognize that in 1962, President Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated today as Pease Officers Memorial Day. This is also National Police Week across the Nation, offering honor, remembrance and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. In regards to new technology, the First Arriving technology we have been working on is now operational on a number of tv displays throughout the the building. This is a new way of messaging internally for employees. We can put out training opportunities and department in- service training rosters, as well as congratulations for certain good acts or deeds by employees. This also connects with our CAD system, so high level priority calls will be displayed on the screens. This is especially helpful for detectives who don't necessarily listen to their radios while working at their desks and this will alert them to a significant call that they may able to run out and assist on. Lastly, it connects to our SPIDR Tech program, which is the text messaging system when someone calls the police department it notifies them. Those surveys that citizens complete connects to this system and puts it up on the tv display. Any good by an officer can be seen on the display in real time. We are In the final stages of the computer server being fully cut over. He continues to work on the School Safety Task Force. They had another meeting a few weeks ago in Concord and they are looking to make some changes and recommendations to the report that was completed years ago. Certainly times and technology have changed and they are looking to break down that report section by section and update each section and then get it back out to the school systems. This will come right to our SAU and school here in Laconia. In reference to the COSSAP Grant that funds Detective ADAMS' position, we were notified that the same grant is available for another three year period. We will be looking to renew that with the Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General's Office is excited to extend that grant to some other agencies as well, including Concord, who is very interested in doing the same program. This is all grant funded that would continue his position for another three years. He has been working closely with City Manager to solidify our next fiscal year budget and our presentation is set for Monday, June 3rd, here in Council Chambers. He participated in a security review with Lakes Region Mental Health. They are preparing to get a safety grant and needed a safety assessment. We did a walkthrough and he gave them recommendations that they could do to enhance security in their facility. As of today, he received the check from the Jensen Benevolent Fund in the amount of $25,000.00 that was donated to us for the development of a police firearms range. Several weeks this was accepted by the City Council and now we have the physical check. This was a very nice donation from a member of our community that will help offset the cost of that project. We are still working on the specific location on City land. It will not be an overnight project, but will be very beneficial in long term.  As of today, he received the check from the Jensen Benevolent Fund in the amount of $25,000.00 that was donated to us for the development of a police firearms range. Several weeks this was accepted by the City Council and now we have the physical check. This was a very nice donation from a member of our community that will help offset the cost of that project. We are still working on the specific location on City land. It will not be an overnight project, but will be very beneficial in long term. He has a meeting next week with the hospital for their Motorcycle Week preparations. Motorcycle Week starts on June 8th. The week of June 16th we will be doing our formal CALEA file accreditation review. CALEA reviews anywhere from 100-150 of our files every year and every four years they do a full re- accreditation assessment. This is our 4th year and they will be doing an in depth review of our files that week and then they will be sending 2-3 assessors out here the week of August 5th through the 8th to do an in-person review. They do the files ahead of time so they don't have to spend so much time on the files while they are here and they can spend a lot of time at the police department. They will interview many different members of the agency, particularly use of force interviews, and they talk with officers and community members. They will also be attending National Night Out this year. We will be working closely with them and hope to get re- accredited. In reference to SPIDR Tech for the month of April, we sent out a total of 1500 text messages. The was a survey completion rate of 21%, which was down by 3.4%. The vast majority of the comments were positive interactions with the public and they were pleased with our level of service. We will be moving to an on-line reporting system for certain crimes that do not have suspects. For instance, if a propane tank is stolen from your house and there are no suspects and you don't wish to talk with a uniformed police officer, you can reported this on-line so we have the statistical data. What we've noticed a lot is that there have been areas, specifically the south end, with minor offenses like propane tanks or bicycles stolen, and we hear about it months later and have had no knowledge of it, because people either don't want to inconvenience us by calling for a police officer or they don't want to be inconvenienced by calling and having to wait for an officer to respond and speak with them at their house when they know there is no suspect information. We are hoping this on-line reporting will gain us more statistical data and we will be able to see trends in certain neighborhoods and be proactive to drive those numbers down. It won't take the place of an officer being able to come to someone's house to take a report, but it will assist if someone chooses not to speak with an officer in person. We hope to implement that technology within the next few weeks. Chairman Whittum inquired how that information will be put out to public. Chief Canfield advised we will do a press release and maybe reach out to the paper to do an in person interview and it will also be put out through our social media. Year to date we have had 16 overdoses with 3 suspected deaths this year. Line of duty deaths across the Nation are currently at 58 for the year. Chairman Whittum inquired how many department in the State of New Hampshire are certified by CALEA. Chief Canfield advised last he knew it was thirteen. 10. OLD BUSINESS No discussion. 11. NEW BUSINESS 10. OLD BUSINESS No discussion. 11. NEW BUSINESS No discussion. 12. OTHER BUSINESS No discussion. 13. CITIZEN COMMENTS No citizens in attendance. 14. CONFIRMATION OF NEXT MEETING DATE The next Regular meeting date of June 19, 2024 was confirmed. 15. NON-PUBLIC SESSION (According To RSA 91-A:3, II (A) The dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him/her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a public meeting, and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted. On a Motion by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Mello, and passed unanimously, in accordance with RSA 91-A:3,II(a), the Laconia Police Commission entered into Non-Public Session at 2:22 pm. Roll Call Vote to enter Non-Public Session: Chairman Douglas Whittum - Yes Commissioner Frank Mello - Yes Commissioner Scott Davis- Yes At 2:49 pm, the Non-Public Session ended on a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, with a unanimous vote. Public Session reconvened at 2:50 pm. Chairman Whittum entertained a Motion to seal the minutes, moved by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Mello, and passed unanimously, because it is determined that divulgences of this information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of this board. Roll Call Vote to Seal the Minutes of the Non-Public Session: Chairman Douglas Whittum - Yes Commissioner Frank Mello - Yes Commissioner Scott Davis - Yes 16. ADJOURNMENT  Commissioner Frank Mello - Yes Commissioner Scott Davis - Yes 16. ADJOURNMENT On a Motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Davis, and passed unanimously, the meeting was adjourned at 2:51 pm.