Police Commission Minutes 09/10/2004

The Rochester Police Commission held their regular monthly meeting on September 10, 2004. Present at this meeting was Chairman Dumont, Comm. Flanagan, Comm. Stenhouse, Chief Dubois, Capt. Pease, Capt. Allen, Lt. Taylor, Lt. Gould, Lt. Dumas, Lt. Callaghan, Attorney Grossman, Secretary Warburton, members of the Department, the public and the media.

A. Building: Update on “punch” list items. Most of the remaining items to be finished will be completed by the end of September. An open house has been tentatively scheduled by the building committee for October 2, 2004 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. There are some areas that we continue to work on, such as the leak into the station. It was discovered that the perimeter drains were clogged with sand, which got past the foundation. Those have been cleaned and that should alleviate that issue.

B. Review of LLEBG Committee Meeting. The committee met on August 26, 2004 to discuss the recommended expenditures. We are looking at purchasing new computers, particularly to finish the dispatch center, cold weather gear for the SAFE Team and Detectives, and rechargeable flashlights for the unmarked cruisers.

We request the Commission approve these expenditures. Chairman Dumont questioned if this must now be approved by Council. Capt. Pease advised that Council approved the resolution, and asked only for a list of planned expenditures.

A. Offer of Donation from Bob’s Towing for Lock out tools: Review . Enclosed in the packet was a proposal from Bob Johnson of Bob’s Towing and Repair to donate lock out tools to assist stranded motorists. Chief Dubois stated that we do have lock out tools, but they are antiquated with respect to vehicle technology today. These newer tools take into consideration electric locks, side air bags, etc. If the Commission approves accepting the donation, we will then ask the City Manager’s permission to accept on behalf of the City for the Department.

Comm. Stenhouse asked our policy on opening these doors. Chief Dubois replied that right now we don’t have the adequate tools to do them. Thus individuals use a private vendor and pay a fee. We will prioritize these calls, based on extenuating circumstances. We do help if we can, or we refer the call to the private vendors.

B. Cruiser Bids: Review and award. Capt. Pease summarized that we were authorized $40,481.00 of funding for two cruisers in this budget. This year, although we were seeking Ford Crown Victorias, the business office asked that we allow other vendors with similar packages to bid. Pursuant to that posting we got five bids. We recommend awarding the bid to Hillsboro Ford for two new 2004 cruisers that are available, as soon as the purchase order is processed.

Hillsboro Ford was not the low bid. The low bid was Dick Poulin Chevy, for a Chevy Impala. We don’t recommend the Chevy Impala for several reasons, including that it is a smaller car, has a smaller engine, comes with standard hoses, and will require new equipment to outfit the cruiser, versus just a changeover from one Ford to another. Additionally, we spoke to an area Department that uses the Chevy Impala. They are phasing those out, due to maintenance issues and the longevity of the car.

The total cost of two cars is $42,664.00, which leaves us short by $2,183.00. We had budgeted $4,000 in our other equipment line, for match funding in anticipation of a much larger LLEBG award, which we did not get. We can make up the difference in the cruiser line with some of that funding.

Comm. Stenhouse noted that the Crown Victoria has not changed its line that much over the years. As such, we have the added ability to ‘cannibalize’ those cruisers that have been dead lined. It is worth it to spend the few extra dollars for long term wear, tear and utilization.

C. Tactical Officers Association: Approve Membership Dues At the April 2004 Commission meeting authorization was given for the Rochester Police SAFE Team to participate in an Association being formed. The budget had already been submitted when this authorization was given, and no funds had been included for the same. The parameters of the Association have been established and we are now seeking authorization to transfer the needed funding in our budget to pay for our membership.

1. Patrol Bureau: Capt. Michael Allen reported that the comp stat process is going very well. We are working closely with the CORE Group downtown. We have had wide enforcement with our foot and bike patrols. Our grant-funded details have been very successful.

We have had positive feedback from the business community. Janet Pelley from CORE attended a recent comp stat meeting, and was pleased with our efforts to date. The Care Package that will prepare the merchants to resolve some of their own issues will be distributed very soon.

Lt. Callaghan reported on the work ongoing on Route 11. He stated that 25% of the accidents on Route 11 involve injury. Based on that we initiated a program to reduce the speeds of the vehicles with a goal to reduce the severity of accidents. Doing this involves engineering responses for that road. Our enforcement response to date has us logging more than 80 hours of motor vehicle work, and contact with 450 vehicles.

Over the past 10 weeks accidents have been reduced by almost half over the same period last year. Enforcement is also education. We had overwhelming support of the motorists through the ‘thank you’ campaign, for driving safely. Many wanted us to be harsher in our penalties. According to an email, our story hit the AP wire in Florida.

Comm. Stenhouse stated for the viewing audience that comp stat is data driven police work. It allows the resources to go further and direct activity to where it’s needed. The resources of the Department go further horizontally, without adding personnel, bringing law enforcement into the 21^st century. “I am proud of the role the Rochester Police Department has taken in this.”

Lt. Gould reported on our domestic violence efforts. She noted that Rochester is consistently the highest in the county in Domestic Violence numbers every year. Our complaints this year to last year have doubled. Cubbi Lirette of the D.V. Project, and the staffs of Sexual Assault Support Services and A Safe Place are working in conjunction with each other. We have some ideas with regard to public service messages via Metrocast, i.e., what to do if you are a victim, how to report this, the importance of reporting, etc. Another idea is to have compliance checks done on bail conditions.

This is just the beginning. We hope to get folks to come to educational classes. Statistics tell us we will respond 4 to 5 times to a residence before anyone admits to domestic violence happening. Therefore, we are also tracking nonviolent family crimes as well. If we can leave them with some information, who knows at what point they will make a change. It is interesting that 80% of these calls come from non-married homes. It may be because the married homes perceive they have more to lose.

Chairman Dumont brought up the episode at the hospital. Is there a method to train the hospital staff and our staff at the same time? Capt. Allen advised we can work on that. The hospital does have an evacuation plan, but it would be a good idea to work together to understand each role.

The DARE program is back in the schools. The SRO is still at the Middle School and has been reintroduced at the High School. Both SRO’s will attend DARE training at the end of the month. We have two officers in FTO and three participating in the Academy, one full time and two for the law package. Two will interview this evening. We know of two officers in the testing phase for other agencies.

Parking enforcement has increased in the downtown area. Tickets are on the decline because people know she is back. We are hearing from CORE that our efforts are noticed. The K9 officer has been walking in the downtown area and at other community events. We are still on target for Fina’s recertification on October 18, 2004. Fina and Officer MacKenzie are doing well as a team.

Det. Cahill had 10 new cases, and closed nine, with a total of 25 misdemeanor charges. The compliance checks in both D.V. and Sex Offenders are on going. Det. Funk had 28 arraignments and 15 adjudicatory hearings. Two cases were sent to diversion. He is working very hard with Crime Line. Seven tips were received this month. We processed 310 pieces of evidence, taking in 242 new items and purging 68 items.

1. Housing Authority. Chief Dubois advised the Commission that the Housing Authority is continuing to offer an apartment to a police officer, for one year. This year they have selected the apartment to be at Wyandotte Falls. We have had a couple of officers participate in this program in the past. This is a program that is offered throughout the country and is funded by the federal government. When asked for their endorsement, the Commission accepted the program under the established guidelines.

2. Housing Authority Officer. Chief Dubois explained Housing is very pleased with the success of having an officer with their program. They have built such a relationship with Officer Triano that they are willing to pay overtime to him to assist with housing issues that may arise in his off time. It’s important to the people living there and the officer and we want to support it. There is no financial burden to the City, as housing will pick up the cost. We don’t anticipate it will happen that often, but we want to enter into an arrangement that permits this. “I will also work with the City Manager technical issues.” The Commission felt this is a great program and supports the same.

3. Primex. Comm. Stenhouse reported that he was at the police station today as part of a Primex promotion video where the membership will speak to the benefits of this organization. Chief Dubois participated and did an excellent job. We took some shots of the dispatch center due to the ergonomic advancement. There will probably be an article to follow. Ray Bower, Administrator of Strafford County participated as well.

A. Appreciation and Recognition. Letters recognizing Department members this month include: The Department was thanked for attendance and participation in funeral services of Chief Douglas Scruton, New Durham. Specifically thanked was Sgt. Burke and Officer Harding. Officer Bossi is recognized as September 2004 Employee of the Month.

A. Financial Reports - August 2004. We are watching the overtime closely and have implemented several things to ensure that lines stays in shape. The electricity is high. It’s hard to predict the costs in a new building so we submitted an estimate for the budget, based on information from the engineers who designed the building. However, that was one of the lines that got hit with the 8% ATB cut to the budget. We are monitoring that. The books have been closed for FY04 and we finished the year in the black. We estimate turning back $97,000 to the general fund at the end of the year.

C. Other. Chief Dubois took a moment to publicly thank the four Lieutenants in attendance for the work they do. The Commission has given direction to be more efficient. That was a big change for the City and the Department. Police work manages change daily. This is an outstanding group that is managing this change. We’ve made some improvements that are very successful. I wish to thank the Commission for pushing us to do that and the staff for the work they do. They are stepping up and getting it done.

“I also want to publicly thank all the officers, particularly as some of them are feeling devalued, based on the contract. Everyone deserves a fair contract work with. I want to let the public know we have a hard group of men and women who put their life on the line every day. It is appreciated by me. My interactions show the community appreciates the work they do. I want them to hear that from me. It’s important to hear. They are soldiering up and I appreciate that and want to them to know. “

Comm. Flanagan MOVED to enter a non-public session at 8:05 P.M. for the purpose of personnel and contractual 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 10:42 P.M. on a MOTION by Comm. Flanagan. SECOND by Comm. Stenhouse and PASSED unanimously.

Comm. Flanagan MOVED that following interviews, Lieutenant Jeffrey Taylor shall be promoted to Captain, and shall receive a five percent pay increase. Effective Sunday, September 12, 2004. The motion was SECONDED by Comm. Stenhouse and PASSED unanimously.

“Next Tuesday is election day and you will be asked to vote on the abolishment of the Police Commission. This question was never put on the agenda or advertised in the paper. The evening that it was adopted some councilors knew and others did not know that it was coming up. This seems like a strange process for a charter change. In a well orchestrated maneuvering process by the Mayor and McManus and Keans it was adopted to put this on the ballot on September 14 and set up a public hearing on the matter during the July vacation period when everyone is on vacation and could not attend.”

“We as a commission have been accused by some people that we have filed to protect the taxpayer. This is totally inaccurate. People must be reminded that it is the City Council that decides how much that we can spend. The Council is the final authority on the budget and the police commission will live with those numbers. We have been blamed for the over-expenditures of the new police station. Again, totally false. All this was done through a building committee and approval of the council. Only the Council can vote on a bond issue and if they voted for something bigger than they expected, then don’t blame the Commission for that. We as a Commission cannot appropriate money. “

”Last Tuesday the Council turned down our second contract negotiations with the police union. Like I said before, they control the purse strings and they are entitled to reject the contract just like we are entitled to give both sides a fair contract and to bargain in good faith. The first contract we had, the Commission rejected the fact finder’s report and the Council agreed with the Commission to reject it. The second contract was agreed upon with the union and Commission after many hours of deliberations. Both sides did this without any lawyers present in order to save legal fees and get right down to the crux of what killed the first negotiations process. We have been spending way too many dollars in training new personnel and then find them leaving to some other agency for more money or better benefits. Our contract made a big effort to eliminate that problem. This past year alone we have lost many talented people who were training other officers, to the State Police and to Drug Enforcement Agencies. We are well known in the State as the training grounds city. We are trying very hard to get away from this image.”

“Every month we meet here with the Police Department and every month at the beginning of the meeting I ask if anyone from the public has any comments to make and then we proceed to go through our agenda in an orderly fashion, bringing up all kinds of subjects such as Patrol, Detectives, Dispatch and any other business. We do our business in the open and not behind closed doors. Our only personal agenda is to see that this Department runs as efficiently as possible and that is all. The only time that we go into a non public session is when we discuss legal or personal issues, such as tonight. We will have to choose one of these four lieutenants that are sitting here to be a Captain to replace my good friend Doug Donlon who served this Department for 27 years with the highest of dignity, who has since retired.”

“If you vote next Tuesday to abolish the Commission, you will have lost all of the above-mentioned items, such as open meetings, the privilege to be heard and to see what goes on in your Police Department and watch it all on television. Please keep politics out of the Police Department and vote no on referendum one next Tuesday.”