Police Commission Minutes 08/04/04

The Rochester Police Commission held their regular monthly meeting on August 4, 2004. Present at this meeting was Chairman Dumont, Comm. Flanagan, Comm. Stenhouse, Chief Dubois, Capt. Pease, Capt. Allen, Lt. Dumas, Lt. Taylor, Lt. Gould, Lt. Callaghan, Attorney Grossman, Chaplain Lachapelle, Secretary Warburton, members of the Department, the public and the media.

Mr. Cliff Newton, 168 Old Dover Road. Mr. Newton spoke in support of the Police Commission. He stated that the Commission is helpful and needed. He stated that whenever he has had constituent issues, even if they were minor, the Commission responded immediately. He also said there are people who believe eliminating the Commission will reduce the layers of bureaucracy. He would like to point out that it will increase that layer. You will go from having to convince two people (Commissioners) to seven people (Councilors) plus the City Manager. [Those numbers representing the majority of those two boards.]

A. Recognition, Det. John Caldwell, Retired. Chief Dubois stated that today, when preparing for this meeting, we had some fun reminiscing about John. He was in our hearts today and we are pleased to be able to honor his service to the City of Rochester.

Chaplain Lachapelle offered the opening prayer. He also noted that during the time he has been associated with the Rochester Police Department, John was the most dedicated and dependable of individuals. He is taking a great deal of knowledge and we don’t know how the City will train someone to replace him. I wish you and Cheryl all the best.

Chairman Dumont said that he has only know John for five years but it’s been a good five years. He said they worked on a project together duplicating a circuit board to be used in a city project. They have a lot in common and “I wish you so much good luck.”

Comm. Flangan said, “Wilbur.” I have known you for about 17 years. You have been a dedicated police officer, sitting in your little hole in the evidence room always doing your job with no complaints. We have been graced with a loving and caring police officer all those years and I wish you the best in the autumn years of your retirement.

Comm. Stenhouse said I’m no longer the rookie, because I’ve known you longer than Paul. You often stopped by City Hall just to say hello. You always impressed me as an excellent, old time police officer. I don’t mean old time in a negative way. I mean that you cared for people like we think police officers should. I wish you the best.

Lt. Dumas said, “Papa John.” John was often called that, because he reminds you of someone’s Papa. When I first met John, I was two weeks off the FTO Program, chasing some kid through the Pines. I was reporting my location on the radio, sweating, and out of breath and I came through the trees and there was John with the kid prone out in front of his cruiser. I don’t think he got out. He looked at me with that wry grin and since he caught him, I had to book him. That’s the way it was. He caught him, I cleaned him . Since June we have had 76 years of experience leave Rochester. Twenty Seven years in Paul Moore, Twenty Six years in Doug Donlon and now Twenty Three in John. You don’t replace that kind of experience with a promotion or a new hire. All three had different roles and experience. “John, I want to thank you and Cheryl for the commitment and sacrifices that you gave. The members of this Department all learned from you.”

John was presented with a city gift of a granite rock in the shape New Hampshire with an engraving of John’s name and service years and a quote “CSI - Rochester. The puzzle, like life, fits together one piece at a time.”

The Rochester Police Benevolent Association, and its treasurer, Carol Griffin presented John with a shadow box of his uniform shirt that included all of his ribbons and insignia as a police officer. Carol Griffin said 23 years you spent with the RPBA, leaving us a President. You’ve done so much and taught me so much. We will never be able to replace you.

Chief Dubois stated that within the profession there is another group, the NH Police Association and John was a dedicated member of that organization. His connection was such, they have sent a representative tonight to recognize John.

Det. Steve Arnold of the Portsmouth Police Department, on behalf of the President of the NH Police Association presented John with his life time membership card in the NHPA. He said that John was more than a member of the NHPA, he is a great friend, full of charity and benevolence. He stepped up every time we’ve asked. He is the only person not on the board of directors that attends every event.

Chief Dubois stated that our next presentation is the retired badge, that we have started presenting to our retired members. The badge is a symbol of the trust the public places in us. It comes with awesome authority. We can take one’s freedom, and we can take one’s life. We don’t give them to people who would dishonor them and we take them from people who do. This badge is a sincere symbol of your contribution and we ask that you accept it from us.

Comm. Flanagan, on behalf of the Rochester Police Department and Rochester Police Commission presented John with a badge denoting his retired status. He said I’m sad, but glad. Sad that your time with us has ended. We had a wonderful 23 years. But glad that you are alive and well and can enjoy your family. This is a token to remind you that you are a good human being and you were appreciated.

Chief Dubois said it goes with the territory and now it’s his turn to speak. I’m honored to do it. Each of us has our own special memories of John. John was a seasoned Police officer, coming from Vermont before he came to Rochester. “Time will show you how to do it easier and better.” John showed me the ropes as an FTO and instilled in me what it means to be a Police Officer. With his time in crime scene analysis, for a time, his absence will devastate us, but you contributed to the quality people that are coming up behind you and you will always be a part of that.

“There are some ribbons on your uniform that profess pride, life saving and the badge of courage. The uniform changes with the season. In the winter you put a coat over it and in the rain you add a raincoat, but underneath all those layers is the same person. A dedicated caring person who for the majority of his adult life made sacrifices to his family with the call outs and overtime. Nothing can repay you for that. We appreciated all you did. When you came into my office and told me you were going to retire, you put out your hand for a hand shake. I asked you if I could hug you. I’m going to do that again, publicly. I love you John and I’m going to miss you.”

Chief Dubois asked John’s wife, Cheryl to join us on the dias. He said, Cheryl you lost a big part of your husband to this community. We will never know the number of lives that John has touched in a positive way over the past 23 years. I got a note from a woman the other day, who reflected on her memories of my father, a retired police officer, and the things that he did for her that gave her the courage to go on. John did that too. All police officers do. You are part of that. Comm. Stenhouse presented Cheryl with some flowers, saying, “Thank you for giving him to us.” Cheryl responded, “it was my pleasure.”

Lastly, John was given a chance to speak. He said, “Commission, Staff, Fellow officers, I miss you one and all. I can’t pick one of you that I miss more. You are all the same. Twenty three years, next Monday, at 2:30 in the afternoon, I arrived and walked upstairs in the Police Department for briefing. I had an escort, cause no one knew who I was. They recognized the uniform, but not the man. My wife and daughter were still in Vermont while I established residency here. It has been my absolute pleasure to have served the City of Rochester for those twenty three years. The memories I will take will never be forgotten. The people that I worked with, I’ve seen 100 to 150 come and go. Some I miss, some I hardly got to know. It has been the hardest to come and say goodbye to you all. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

B. Honorable Service Bar: Presentation of Bar to eligible officers. Capt. Mike Allen prepared and presented fifteen officers with the Honorable Service Ribbon. This ribbon represents three consecutive years of service with a high degree of integrity and dedication, an outstanding work performance and overall excellence. There is no disciplinary action during the three years. The following members were honored:

Officer George Cahill, Officer Anthony Triano, Officer Gary Boudreau, Officer Jamey Balint, Officer Stacy Gilman, Officer Anthony Macaione, Officer Thomas Blair, Officer Christopher Mangum, Officer Patrick Emerson, Officer Jason Thomas, Officer Anthony Bossi, Officer Robert Frechette, Officer Eric Ball, Officer Christopher Kelby and Officer Michael Mundy.

C. Accept Notice of Retirement: Capt. Douglas Donlon. Chairman Paul Dumont stated, “I hate to see this man go. He wants no recognition of any kind. Somehow we need to do it. He should have recognition. He has been with the Department a long time, 27 years.” Chief Dubois concurred stated that he was a life long resident, a dedicated employee doing an outstanding job. He was adamant that he wanted no public recognition. He felt that he served his time well and honorable and wished to fade away. We want to honor his wishes.

D. Accept Resignation: Officer Vinton Wallace. It was noted that Officer Wallace had been a qualified DARE Officer, K9 certified, versed in traditional and tactical police training, and served the community well. It is a typical example that the State will pick these officers up and pay them more money and we start over.

E. COPS Office: Interoperable Communications Technology Grant: Discussion. Chief Dubois reported that two sites in New Hampshire were reviewed as MSA’s (Metropolitan Statistical Areas). Based on our UCR stats and population, Rochester was chosen to represent Strafford and Rockingham Counties. We held a meeting with county chiefs to discuss the grant and many ideas were brought forward.

It was decided as a two-county group to work to apply for federal funding to continue upgrading radios, supplementing what the State has done. We also want to look toward making IMC software more shareable so we can assist each other.

The grant application process will be overseen by Rockingham County, and Sheriff Dan Linehan. They will file on behalf of the two counties. The grant required a match fund of 25% and it was felt that it would be easier for the counties to obtain that funding through the county delegation rather than it being held up by one department seeking the match funds. We will be a partner to the grant, but we will not oversee it.

Chairman Dumont questioned how much the grant would be worth and if everyone would be eligible? He was concerned because he noticed that Dover did not attend the meeting. Chief Dubois said that the individual towns and the Sheriff’s of the two counties would be eligible for the funding. We assume that it would be divided by population. As far as Dover being supportive, we don’t know. They didn’t attend the meeting. We worked with the Chiefs that did show up.

Chief Dubois stated that the other COPS Grant, the $300,000 staffing grant is still in the hands of the Council. It was discussed briefly at Council’s meeting on August 3, 2004, but was not taken from the table. They are aware of the deadline. We will have to respond soon to the federal government regarding the grant.

F. LLEBG Grant: Accept Award, Continue to next phases of program Capt. Pease provided a quick update. He stated that we were notified we had received the award of $11,873. It is much less than we are normally used to receiving. The government is scaling back on such funds. There is a match funds requirement of $1,300. which we budgeted for. The Council discussed the grant on August 3, 2004,. They were in favor of approving the funds if the public hearing was held at the Council meeting. We have to hold a public hearing in order to get the funding. How does the Commission wish to proceed? The Council’s next workshop is August 17, 2004.

Chairman Dumont was in favor of accepting the grant and holding a public hearing. However, it is our grant and we should know what people are speaking in support of. We can then, in turn present that information to the Council. If they choose, they can also hold their own public hearing.

G. Sworn Non-Union Officers Contract: Approve as amended with 3% COLA Chief Dubois advised that the only change made to the document was to update the salary schedule with the 3% cost of living adjustment approved by Council for non union employees.

1. Patrol Bureau Capt. Allen reported that Patrol had a busy month in July. We are soliciting input from the public on areas they would like to see us patrolling with the OHRV as part of the Fish and Game grant. The fireworks were cancelled due to an unfortunate accident and have been rescheduled for August 14, 2004. Naitonal Night Out was well attended and we had several different specialties represented. We continue to apply the Compstat process to Route 11 and our downtown area. Compliance checks and footbeats as well as parking enforcement is generating some activity down there. The monthly report also showed that false alarms continue to be a number one call for service. We are looking for a strategy that will reduce dedicating resources and time to false alarms.

Comm. Flanagan asked if there is a charge for false alarms? He was advised that there are six allowed in a calendar year at no cost, and starting with the seventh, there is a $25.00 fee for each false alarm. We have to prove they are false by human error. There is not a lot of revenue generated from this.

Support. Lt. Dumas reported that we worked with the Working Dog Foundation to find a replacement for Officer Wallace with the K9, and in fact, Officer Wallace and his wife assisted us as we were concerned with Fina’s transition. Officer MacKenzie was chosen and the dog is doing great. They are getting to know each other. They attended National Night Out on August 3, 2004 and at her first training session at the Working Dog Foundation she was the only dog to make all the finds. We hope to certify them as a team on October 18, 2004, which is Fina’s scheduled date for that.

We have chosen two new School Resource Officers. Officer Boudreau has transferred to evidence and thus Officer Stickles will take over at the Middle School. Officer Jackson will take the High School. They both recently had oral boards for certification as DARE Officers.

Lt. Taylor presented the Detectives report. Grant Jury had 29 cases this month. Eight investigations were cleared from general investigations this month. Two Detectives attended firearms school at PSTC during the month. The Domestic Violence officer had 25 new cases, and he closed 20 cases with a total of 37 misdemeanor charges and three indictments. The juvenile officer had 11 arraignments and 7 adjudicatory hearings. There were eleven reviews and four true findings. Officer Dugas has been assigned to monitor the Sex Offender Registration list. He is conducting compliance checks on that. Officer Boudreau handled more than 450 pieces of evidence in that 216 new items came in and 244 were purged.

1. Thanks to Senator Sununu. Comm. Flanagan wished to personally thank Senator Sununu for coming to the Police Department earlier today to hand-deliver a flag that had been flown over the Capitol. He also took the time to hoist “Old Glory” himself. It’s important to note that he took time out of his busy schedule to pay gratitude and to show Rochester that he cares about what is happening here.

2. Negotiations. Chairman Dumont stated that the media has been inquiring into the status of these talks. We had come to a tentative agreement and we are waiting for the Union body to ratify that. We had hoped to move forward with that this evening. Chief Dubois said as soon as we get the word from the Union, we will let the Commission know.

Chief Dubois did wish to publicly respond to the question asked last month about being $58,000 in the red. “My explanation was weak and I received better information that reassured my mind.” That money was attributed to the 27th payroll in the year and also the recent retirements. Those monies were reversed back to our budget and we finished the year in the black, as predicted. I didn’t mean to cause undue panic last month. I wasn’t prepared for the question.

Comm. Flanagan MOVED to enter a non-public session at 8:10 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.