Police Commission Minutes 06/02/04

The Rochester Police Commission held their regular monthly meeting on June 2, 2004. Present at this meeting was Chairman Dumont, Comm. Flanagan, Comm. Stenhouse, Chief Dubois, Capt. Donlon, Capt. Pease, Capt. Allen, Lt. Dumas, Lt. Callaghan, Attorney Grossman, Chaplain Lachapelle, City Manager Bob Steele, Secretary Warburton, members of the Department, the public and the media.

A. Appreciation and Recognition. Letters sent on behalf of or recognizing Department members this month include: Specialists Lewis and Griffin are thanked by the Fire Dept. for efficiency in dispatching a structure fire on May 8^th in East Rochester. Off. Jason Thomas is thanked by the Town of Middleton for assistance. Off. Harding and Blair receive recognition by Police Standards at the annual Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket Awards Luncheon.

A. Building Committee Updates. Chief Dubois stated the building is progressing at a good pace. The electrical work is all but done and the problems we were having with that have been resolved. The range is in the final stages of completion. We intend to train the firearm’s instructors in the range operation this week. We anticipate a transfer date of June 29, 2004. The City Council will tour the building on June 12. The Commission is invited to that as well.

Comm. Stenhouse wished to comment on some information that had been in the newspaper. He stated it didn’t come from the City Manager or Council, but rather from a citizen. The commentary said that “we,” the Police Commission, had taken eight thousand dollars to give raises, and that made it impossible for us to hire people. Comm. Stenhouse said, “Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a misinformation of the worst kind to the citizens. This is not a true statement and those that pay the public salaries should know that. We have spent approximately $7100 for raises this year. Any persons not hired were due to budget freezes or other changes.” He continued, stating, “There are some ongoing negotiations between the union and commission. Those are amicable and we hope they continue.”

E. Bottled Water Suggestion. Capt. Pease advised he had followed up on this. It’s estimated this could cost $500.00 a year. We never done this, so that number may be conservative, as we have nothing to compare it to. Before moving further, we wanted to know the Commission’s preference.

1. Patrol Bureau. Capt. Allen advised this report will contain the same information, but will have a different “look” than previous months’ reports. There will be a month by month comparison with numbers and percentages. We’ve selected just a few areas to report on, but the list can be modified to include anything we desire. Staff completed work over the month with a directed patrol, bike patrols and foot patrols. We worked with liquor enforcement during the month at the restaurants down town. We had 138 calls for service, made eight arrests, and handled parking and motor vehicle citations.

Under the comp stat project, we have selected the downtown area. We’ve completed a survey of most of the businesses, in conjunction with CORE Group’s mission to revitalize the downtown. We asked for the input and feedback from the businesses on issues of concern to them. Most reported they would like to see more police presence in the downtown.

We have initiated a “meet and greet” plan that will establish accountability and ownership by assigning officers to businesses to address any concerns. We have come up with a Care Package that addresses the concerns of these businesses. That was an excellent idea from patrol and those officers should be commended for doing an outstanding job.

Comm. Stenhouse stated that he is on the steering committee of CORE and the downtown committee. The survey CORE completed had similar conclusions. He expected that some of his colleagues would show up at this meeting to talk about those things. This is proactive work and he wants to thank everyone for their efforts. If we are going to achieve our goal of restoring and revitalizing the down town, the merchants and those that patronize those businesses need to feel comfortable and safe, and the only way to do that is with greater police presence.

Comm. Stenhouse also commented on the format for the reports. He thinks the accident report is excellent. He would like to have an orientation on the map. For example, to show where the Spaulding Turnpike, Route 125, or Lowell Streets are. This will assist lay-persons with reading the report. Capt. Allen said this can be done.

2. Support Bureau: Capt. Donlon advised that the support bureau logged 3943 calls for police, and 149 fire calls for the month. This shows an 11 percent increase over last year. Certainly the demands of the center are more than those calls that are logged. We are preparing for the move to the new building, working on trimming down internal staff requests such as phone numbers and overhead page requests. The new part-time specialist hired is doing well and we expect he will be ready to take the controls later this month. There was an IMC software upgrade on May 26^th that went fairly smoothly.

Our parking enforcement officer returned to work this month and will be working closely with staff with regard to reporting duties. Our recruits at the academy are in the ninth week, anticipating graduation on June 25, 2004.

The investigation’s bureau closed 10 cases this month, the drug investigator had one arrest, ten new domestic violence cases were received, and the juvenile officer had 25 arraignments and 19 adjudicatory hearings this month. There were also 248 pieces of evidence taken in and 270 pieces disposed on.

B. Commentary by Chairman Dumont. Chairman Dumont read a prepared statement regarding the discussion that had occurred at the City Council meeting the previous evening. The statement in its entirety is included as an attachment to these minutes. Please refer to attachment A.

Business is being discussed tonight and business will continue to go on in the Rochester Police Department even with the absence of Lt. Moore. However, I want the public, you and your family to know that even as business goes on, all the men and women of this Department know that a big part of us has left with you. I ask that the command staff join me at the podium tonight. We are honoring you tonight, but I wish to thank my support team for all they do each day. I also wish to thank my Administrative Assistant Becky Warburton for all her preplanning for this event. We do things as a team and Paul was a big part of that.

I ask that Chaplain Lachapelle say a few words. Chaplain Lachapelle said “I love my new role. I get to listen to everything and I don’t have to say a word. I was in a different role not too long ago. I was here when Paul Moore joined this Department and he has been respected by his peers during the years of his career. Rochester has been fortunate to have the caliber of a person in Paul working for them. I extend to you a happy and long retirement. “

Chief Dubois advised that some people present who worked with Paul over the years wished to share a few words. He said, “ The profession is really about service to people, so to hear from those you have worked with that really understand the job you have done for 27 years is important.”

Chairman Dumont said, “Paul, I’ve only known you for about five years. What has impressed me the most is that you always took the time to say hello. You’ve been a good cop and while I hate to see you go, I’m glad in a way. I hope you enjoy life and wish you all the luck in the world.”

Comm. Flanagan said, “I was on the Department 27 years ago with Lt. Moore. I didn’t know then that he would go through the ranks. I didn’t. But that’s okay. During the time I’ve known you and served as a Commissioner for the City, I never heard anyone utter a bad word about you. That sometimes is hard, as people are very good at condemning, but not at commending. I commend you for 27 years of loyal service to the City. Some talk of turnover, then leave because they think it may be better. But to have a craving to stay in the town and City where he was trained – there is nothing better for a City than to have one of their own come up through the ranks. Paul, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for your service.”

Captain Robert Pease said, “I’m not one for speeches. But I had to step up tonight. For the record, when I sat with you the other day, I was not a decoy. I had to say those things to you, face to face. When I came to the Police Department, Paul was a Detective. He always had a willingness to help and answer questions. Young guys, we learn by asking questions. The Academy is 12 weeks long, but when you get down to it, we learn more from those that have been doing the job. Three years later, Paul was the supervisor in detectives and I became a detective. Those years were some of the highlights of my life. We did a lot of hard work and spent a lot of time away from our families. That is a tribute to you and Nita and Jake and Tonya. I learned a lot from you and there is no doubt that time allowed me to move ahead in my career. Paul was doing a great job, at something he loved, and that’s a great thing. I thank you personally. There is no doubt I’m where I am today for listening to you. You taught me a lot. I wish you the best in your retirement. Stay tanned by the pool – enjoy.”

Captain Michael Allen said, “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Paul for sixteen years and learned a lot from him, whether it was in detectives or patrol. You were a wealth of knowledge for me. I wouldn’t be where I am without the benefit of some of the things I learned from you. It has been a pleasure and honor. I wish you luck.”

Lt. Scott Dumas said, “the guidelines tonight were not to roast you. I cut this down quite a bit. Twenty-seven years — the City of Rochester owes you a debt of gratitude. I worked with you as a patrolman, sergeant and now a Lieutenant. You were always Lt. Moore to me and it was a proud day when upon my promotion I could call you Paul. I learned a lot from you. You will be missed.” (Scott read aloud a poem titled “thank you.” The same has been included as an attachment to these minutes. Please refer to attachment B.)

Chief Dubois said that we had some presentations to make and requested that (retired) Lt. Moore join him on the podium and to bring his wife, Nita, with him. She has stood by his side and shared him with us for the past 27 years.

The next presentation was from the City, presented by City Manager, Bob Steele. Chief Dubois said the City Manager’s family is deeply rooted in public safety, having both a fire and police background. It’s an honor to have him presenting tonight.

Bob Steele said, “it’s an honor and pleasure to present to Lt. Paul Moore, in recognition of twenty-seven years of dedicated service this granite rock, in the shape of NH, with the following inscription,” “All of life is but a journey. We wish you well as you explore new beginnings.”

Chief Dubois said, “before we transfer Paul Moore’s position I’d like to say a few words about the role of a spouse and family in the law enforcement profession. I’m honored to say these words. Twenty-seven years of experience is admirable. But as you look at the start date, and the end date, you have to focus on the time in between and some of the things that you did. It is rare for a man or woman to last 27 years in this profession and even rarer, still, to last with the same spouse, to have healthy children who do a good job to contribute to society. You are a role model, whether you know it or not to many officers, just based on that.”

“I look at what the Association gave you and what the hash marks on a sleeve represent. When I came on the Department more than twenty years ago, [Captain] Doug Donlon had a hash mark. One impressed me. I’m looking at five, and that thoroughly impresses me. It is a huge sacrifice and commitment to the City. You have a badge that signifies the rank of Police officer, but it more than that. It shows a leader. You have lead others to safety and gone home safely. On the other side are ribbons that signify the life you saved. I remember the man with the knife in his belly. He’s alive today because of you. I remember the deaf man involved in a robbery. He was armed but he didn’t drop his weapon on your command, because he could not hear you. You would have been justified to take his life that day, but you didn’t. He met the right cop, at the right time, in his life and in your career.”

I see the ribbon for team work, and honorable service. These may not mean much to the average person, but they are enormous to us. You have influenced my career and you have made me a better police officer to serve this community better. I will miss you. I am honored to have worked with you and wish you the best in your retirement.”

“Nita, you can take this for what it’s worth. I can say to all our spouses, we are in a profession, a close job that forces us to endure situations that others don’t. As a second generation police officer, I have seen what this profession does to a family, from the perspective of a child, and now as a husband, and a father myself. I know that Paul has maintained a strong relationship with you. He has always had loving words to say about you for as long as I have known him. I know about the bike trip you plan to take, and the cruise, the things you have done in your life and the things said about your kids. Things that I wish every father can do whether they are police officers or not. You have been a strong support and I wish we could do more than flowers, but that’s what we have for you tonight. These gifts may be symbols of your accomplishments as a police officer, but you will always be in our hearts.”

D. Swearing in & Badge Ceremony: Lt. Paul Callaghan. The oath of office was administered to Lt. Callaghan by Commissioner Barry Flanagan. Participating in the ceremony was Juanita Moore and Susan Callaghan by the exchange of the Lieutenant’s badge from retiring Lt. Paul Moore to newly promoted Lt. Paul Callaghan.

Comm. Flanagan MOVED to enter a non-public session at 7:50 P.M. for the purpose of personnel and legal matters. SECOND by Comm. Stenhouse. The motion PASSED by roll call vote, Comm. Stenhouse-yes, Comm. Flanagan-yes, Chairman Dumont -yes. The non-public session closed at 9:01 P.M. on a MOTION by Comm. Flanagan. SECOND by Comm. Stenhouse and PASSED unanimously.

Last night the city council at the suggestion of Mayor Walker voted for a new ordinance pertaining to merit increases. Words were thrown around about moral, equality and unfair . . . his aim, of course, was to attack the police commission and the department as a whole. I have never heard of an ordinance that defies the city charter. I personally don’t think that it holds water. We, the commission and the council met a few months ago and we agreed to send the city charter to the superior court for a declaratory judgement on what the police commission’s duties are. That action never took place. The commission is still waiting and in the meanwhile we have been awarding merit increases as allowed by the charter. In fiscal year 04 we have awarded $7,100. dollars to our command staff of eight. This certainly would not make much of a timetable difference in hiring any new officers. I am proud of our workers and I think its high time that we give the entire city employees merit increases for a job well done.

We as elected officials come and go. Some stay two years; some ten – but never as long as some of our employees. Our three captains have at least 66 years combined in this department. The police, firefighters, public workers, dispatchers and our teachers are the backbone of this city.

We all have our burdens. We gave out about $900 dollars per command staff because they are doing a great job and we want to keep them. You had your burden of giving out $54,000 dollars to the past city manager for doing a poor job. Where is the equality there???

I don’t want to interfere in how you run the City. But since you have interfered in how to run the police department, I will give my advice to you, Mayor Walker, and it is solely my opinion and not that of the Commission, on how to better run this City.

It is time to let the Economic Director do her job. Give her the funds needed to change the tax base in this city. Do not keep trying to stabilize the tax base on the backs of our city employees. After all, they pay taxes too. It is time for the Council to be creative in finding another source of tax income, other than the home owner. It seems strange to me that when it comes time to equalize wages, you never want to consider cities of equal size. But last night an increase was made in building permits because cities our size charge more. Try to be more consistent.

With these brief words, I’ve only touched upon a few of the things you have experienced throughout your 27-year career. The City of Rochester owes you a debt of gratitude. I have worked for you as a Patrolman and as a Sergeant. These last two years I have worked with you as a peer. I have learned a great many things from you and you will be missed. Thank-you Paul.