Board of Police Commissioners

REGULAR MEETING WEST HAVEN BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS May 17, 2016 The Regular Meeting of the West Haven Board of Police Commissioners was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Police Headquarters, 200 Saw Mill Road, West Haven, CT. Present were Commissioners Raymond Collins, Deborah Wright, Andrew Giaquinto, and Keith Sweeney. Also present were Chief John Karajanis, Deputy Chief Joseph Perno, Det. Sean Faughnan, President of Local 895, & Councilman Dave Russell, Liaison to the Police Board. Absent was Commissioner Paul Butler. A motion was made by Commissioner Wright to add 6.2 Memorial Day Parade Road Closures to the agenda. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Giaquinto and approved unanimously. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairperson Collins called the meeting to order at 7:03 1. Minutes of May 3, 2016  A motion was made by Commissioner Wright to accept the minutes of May 3, 2016. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Giaquinto and approved unanimously. 2. Public Input  Det. Sean Faughnan, President of Local 895, congratulated Officer Suraci on his upcoming promotion. He noted that Ofc. Suraci has worked for the West Haven Police Department for 14 years, served with street crime. Det. Faughnan stated that he has known Jon for years, and offers his congratulations to him and to his family. Det. Faughnan is glad to have the Detective position filled, and noted that hopefully the budget will allow for the remaining two positions to be filled.  Walter Casey, thanked the Board of Police Commissioners and Chiefs for filling the open position in the detective unit as well as for the police vehicles. 3. Communications 3.1 Animal Control Division Monthly Reports-April 2016 3.2 Monthly Attendance Report-April 2016 3.3 Support Services Monthly Report-April 2016 3.4 Training Division Monthly Reports-April 2016 3.5 Monthly Overtime Report 3.6 Letter of Appreciation-WHPD-The Family of Lena Sette 3.7 Letter of Appreciation-WHPD-Joe Godlewski 3.8 Letter of Appreciation Sgt. Kleinknecht, Ofc. Andzej Jakubowski & Ofc. Craig Thompson-Linda Dallachie 4. Report of the Chief  Chief Karajanis reported ATAC synopsis from meeting.   Chief Karajanis also stated that he received a call from finance director who believes the approval of the purchase of the new police vehicles will go through 5/23, before city council on 6/9 for final approval. He stated that there was a “slight glitch” because they were not able to put something forward confirming that they would obtain vehicles. The vehicles were changed to Ford Taurus, which is probably a better vehicle for the Police Department, although it is a more expensive vehicle-it will probably cost an additional 20k. Because the commitment is not coming in prior to the 9th, there is a 90 days’ delay before actually getting the cars. If the SUV’s are in stock, those may be available immediately, but the vehicles for the Detective Division will be 90 days out. Any further questions can be directed to the Traffic Sgt. Sgt. Ciccosanti stated that the Taurus are a better choice for the city, (5 Taurus and 10 SUV’s) but will not be a financial benefit to the city. Additionally, Chief Karajanis reported that there will be a meeting in the Mayor’s Office at 11:00 on May 18th that Deputy Chief Perno will attend regarding the demolition at the Havens Project 5. Old Business  Nothing to report 6. New Business 6.1 Promote to Detective-Ofc. Jonathan Suraci  Deputy Chief Perno stated that Officer Jonathan Suraci was hired by the West Haven Police Department on 2/28/03. Officer Suraci then advanced to Grade A two years later, on 2/28/05. Officer Suraci received several commendations during his Police career. He was also assigned to Street Crime and Statewide Narcotics Task Force. Deputy Chief Perno added that Office Suraci’s actions with Palermo incident were commendable and brave. A motion was then made by Commissioner Wright to accept the promotion of Office Jonathan Suraci to Detective effective Friday, May 20, 2016. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sweeney, and approved unanimously. Detective Suraci was sworn in by Chief John Karajanis. 6.2 Memorial Day Parade Shut down Campbell Avenue  A motion was made by Commissioner Wright to approve the closure of Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Blvd. to Elm Street on Monday May 30, 2016 from 0900 to 1300 for the annual Memorial Day Parade. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Giaquinto and approved unanimously. 7. Pension Board 7.1 Dave Moran-Morgan Stanley  Dave Morgan reported that two 925,000 payments were made so far, and that a small gain was made, very little for the year, but still positive. We have made back losses since March, and are back even. Two articles were presented, both written 5/12, stating that there is cause for concern in the upcoming years with our fiscal policy. We have stimulated the economy and eventually that may run out, and that we may have a “t in the road.” The outcome is going to weigh heavily on the outcome of the Presidential election. Additionally, discussed was “unusual uncertainty” negative interest rates in the world, in which you have to  pay the bank to hold your money. Because there is no history of this, there is uncertainty on how to handle it and the affect it may have. It has been a rough quarter but we have made our money back. For now, things are good, and should be good through the election. 8. Report of Committees-Personnel Committee  Nothing to Report 9. Commissioner Reports  Nothing to Report 10. Executive Session  A motion was presented by Commissioner Wright to enter into Executive Session. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Sweeney and approved unanimously.  Chairperson Collins adjourned this meeting and entered into Executive Session at 7:25