Police Commission Minutes 08/02/2006

Present at this meeting was Chairman Flanagan, Comm. Stenhouse, Comm. Dumont, Chief Dubois, Deputy Chief Allen, Capt. Callaghan, Attorney Grossman, Communications Supervisor Martha Swats, and Secretary Warburton. Also present were members of the Department, their families, the public and the media.

Chairman Flanagan MOVED to accept the minutes of the June 28, 2006 regular meeting and the July 26, 2006 special meeting, as submitted. Comm. Dumont SECONDED the motion and it PASSED unanimously.

A. Accreditation Update. Capt. Callaghan reported that we have 120 policies to review. There will be minor housekeeping updates to several policies. We have one policy amendment to bring before the Commission this evening, and Lt. Turgeon also worked on five other policies over the previous month. We are still on target for completion in February 2007.

B. Goals and Objectives FY07: Chief Dubois noted that as the Commission is aware, the Department held a goals session where input was solicited from citizens, the business community and department members. From this we developed numerous broad goals. We intend to focus on relationships, team building and crime suppression. We have started working on some of these already, but are soliciting comments and input from the Commission.

Chairman Flanagan remarked on our enthusiasm. He is pleased to see the work we hope to achieve in our reception area. It is needed. He also likes the expansion of our proactive policing. We have a problem with the number of officers we have and while we are doing some good work in this area, the percentage of our proactive work is below where we would like it. The Department is to be commended for recognizing that.

Comm. Stenhouse commented that the goals are laudable, but are they measurable. He would ask that the Chief keep an eye on these to ensure there is something there we can measure.

In response to the Commission’s comments Chief Dubois stated that we have been successful in the past and intentionally submitted an aggressive plan this year. Further, when we set our ground rules for the goal setting session, we told the group that we would use the resources given to us this year.

C. SRO and HUD Specialty Positions: Captain Callaghan advised that he had inquired of both the school department and the housing authority. Neither group has any funding available to support additional positions. Both groups however were very appreciative of the work the Department has done and is doing to support them.

Chief Dubois commented that we are happy to provide the services and want to continue. Funding resources are a concern for everyone. These groups, like we do, have to prioritize where their monies will net the most effective results. We will continue to explore this and will look also toward grants or other funding to help us support our work in this area.

1. Officer Matt Flathers: Chief Dubois noted that Officer Flathers had finished first, academically, in his Academy class. It hasn’t happened very often that Rochester’s recruits finish first, so when it does, we like to recognize it. Officer Flathers was presented with a pin that he is authorized to wear on his uniform.

2. Det. George Cahill: Plaque for 20 years of service: Chief Dubois advised the assembled group that George Cahill has recently completed 20 years of service to the Department. He has held several positions in the patrol and support services bureau. He recently coordinated all of the Department’s training and hiring programs. On the heels of him completing his 20 years, he has announced that he plans to retire at the end of the month. Therefore, this award is bittersweet. George was presented with a plaque honoring his 20 years of service.

B. Oath of Office for Patrol: The oath of office for patrol was given by Chairman Flanagan to Officer Michael Brinkman, Officer Todd Pinkham and Officer Andrew Swanberry. Family members were on hand to witness and participate in badge pinning ceremonies.

C. Educational Incentive Awards: Chief Dubois noted that Officer’s Brinkman, Pinkham and Swanberry all hold advanced Degrees. Officer Brinkman has an Associate’s Degree and Officer’s Pinkham and Swanberry have Bachelor Degree’s. We recommend they be awarded the education incentive.

Chairman Flanagan MOVED to award education incentives to Officer’s Brinkham, Pinkham and Swanberry, as outlined. SECOND by Comm. Stenhouse and PASSED unanimously.

D. Accept Resignation: Chief Dubois noted that Officer Loconte has submitted his resignation, accepting a position with the Greenland, NH Police Department.

E. Inventory Acquisition; Radio Frequency Identification Device: Chief Dubois noted that the Department applied for equipment from FBI-LEEDA, for a Radio Frequency Identification Device that is manufactured by Pardue Pharmacies. Having this equipment will give us an opportunity to track stolen pharmaceuticals through wireless transmitters, via a chip embedded in the shipments. We would like the Commission’s endorsement to sign the user agreement and to accept this into inventory for its specified use.

F. SOP 97; In-Car Video. Rescind (no longer in use). Capt. Callaghan stated that we are seeking to rescind this operating procedure, because we no longer use this equipment.

Chief Dubois added when we first obtained the cameras in the cars, it was VHS technology. Directly thereafter, the equipped changed to 8MM. We were experiencing frequent breakdowns of the equipment. Because the technology was advancing faster than we could keep up with it we stopped using them. However with our advancement toward accreditation, having a policy for something we are not using is extra baggage that is not necessary. We recommend rescinding the policy and revisiting this at a later time.

Chairman Flanagan concurred that we shouldn’t rescind and never bring it back, because the cameras were valuable pieces of equipment for officer and public safety.

Chief Dubois replied that this is solely a cost priority. These items were too expensive to maintain, while technology was constantly evolving. It appears that the technology has stabilized and with the Project 54 programs, we can revisit the matter and possibly reallocate funds.

Comm. Dumont inquired if we have to have the cameras to be accredited? Chief Dubois replied we do not, but if we have the equipment, we have to have a policy on how we will use it.

G. SOP 97; Racial Bias/Profiling: NEW; First Reading. This is a policy that is required by the accreditation standards. We recommend the Commission adopt this, as part of our move toward accreditation.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to waive the second reading and adopt SOP 97 Racial Bias/Profiling as submitted. SECOND by Chairman Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.

1. Patrol Division: Deputy Chief Allen prepared this report in Capt. Dumas’ absence. He noted that we are moving to a ward-based approach to community policing, involving elected officials and affected citizens. We think this is a good approach and we will continue to update the Commission as we progress.

We continue to explore using volunteers in the building in various capacities, not only in the reception area, but also in an oversight role with our juvenile services programs. We may also be able to use them to take minor reports, which require no follow up.

Vandalism continues to be a problem, as identified in the comp stat reports. We had a rash of mailbox smashing. We have increased bike and foot patrols and field interviews to impact this.

DWI continues to be a concern. The lieutenants will submit a plan to increase these numbers. They are low and we know we can do better increasing our enforcement efforts.

Comm. Stenhouse commented on the Communications Chart in the Comp Stat report appears to be skewed with regard to our response time to high priority calls. To an average person the numbers don’t mesh.

Comm. Stenhouse commented that is an acceptable explanation, however, it skews reality and makes it appear that the dispatchers are waiting to dispatch a call. We know that is not the case, but the numbers say it and show a picture that is not true. He requested that as we develop the comp stat process and fine-tune it, anything that paints a picture we know not to be true we should review it and/or clarify it.

Communications Supervisor Martha Swats stated that we hope the next IMC upgrade will address this issue. At a recent meeting with IMC, many in attendance spoke about the priority calls. The computer assigns the call, and we have override authority. But when the stats are pulled, the computer only recognizes the initial priority assigned, not any override. We’ve tried to find other ways to pull the data, but we are limited to hand-pulling the data, which is cumbersome and also an inefficient use of time management.

2. Support Division: Capt. Callaghan stated that the Investigations Division handled several major cases this reporting period, including the death of a 16-year-old, and a stabbing. The street crime unit has been working on youth alcohol violations, making checks and issuing summons to five clerks for sales violations. This is enforcement, but also an education mode we are working in.

Two detectives are currently attending a data recovery school, which we are attending at no cost, as members of the Attorney General’s cyber crime initiative.

We are keeping an eye on the evidence locker. As the recent report shows, 224 pieces of evidence were logged out of the locker this period. We are working on making registering bikes on line available, which will assist us in returning found bikes.

We are also working on making our juvenile court diversion projects more meaningful to the clients. For example some of the youths enrolled have painted the fence at the commons, painted the footbridge in the pines, covered up and documented graffiti in the City, painted fire hydrants and cleaned cruisers. One of the young participants had a problem with his personal bicycle and he worked with Det. Frechette to get it working again. It makes a connection by putting officers together with at-risk youth.

3. Executive Report: Deputy Chief Allen reported that the 13-month budget would not be available until after the audit. We hope to have unofficial numbers by the next meeting.

In our equipment upgrades we hope to have the computers received by the MIS division all installed by month’s end. The Reverse 911 software upgrade that we talked about last month, we hope to have complete through MIS and Communications working together, so we can address the glitches in the system that have been identified. We continue to explore data sharing with IMC and are meeting with the City’s MIS division on that as well. We are finding however that our current server is not conducive for this work and we are looking toward a replacement. There will be another meeting in September with IMC and all agencies in the area interested in the data sharing capabilities will be invited to discuss associated costs, procedures and updates.

We received two bids for the cruisers. One from Hillsboro Ford in the amount of $30,061.47 (thirty thousand sixty one dollars and forty seven cents) and the other from Bert Chambers in the amount of $30,343.90 (thirty thousand three hundred forty three dollars and ninety cents). It is our recommendation to award the bid to Hillsboro Ford, for a 3-year lease of four crown victoria cruisers.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to award the bid for cruisers to Hillsboro Ford in the amount of $30,061.47 (thirty thousand sixty one dollars and forty seven cents). The motion was SECONDED by Chairman Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.

2. Grant Opportunity: NH Fish and Game OHRV. Deputy Chief Allen noted that we received approval from Fish and Game for this grant award in the amount of $3,375.00 (three thousand three hundred seventy five dollars and no cents), for overtime patrols for OHRV enforcement. We would ask the Commission to accept the funding and allow us to submit it to the City Council for approval.

Chief Dubois noted that we could do the patrols in targeted areas known for OHRV use, as well as in the area of walking trails as a presence and preventative work. Capt. Dumas has been keeping track of complaints by citizens, and with officer input developed some target areas for enforcement.

Comm. Stenhouse MOVED to accept the grant funding and forward the same to the City Council for acceptance. The motion was SECONDED by Comm. Dumont and PASSED unanimously.

3. Speed Sign. Comm. Dumont inquired into the speed sign? Chief Dubois replied that it is up and running. We had a battery problem, but it has been fixed and the unit has been deployed recently. We are coordinating requests for it through Capt. Callagahan.

4. Automated External Defibrillators. Chief Dubois advised that every five years or so, the American Heart Association and the medical community review their standards related to CPR. They recently released their report and it reveals that in addition to some upgrades to CPR, changes are also being recommended for the use of the Automated External Defibrillators. Many of the systems we have were donated, and are out of date. It will be a significant amount of money to upgrade the units we have, which we did not budget for. Police and Fire have been in discussions with the City Manager regarding a status quo mode, or finding funding to replace the units. We will keep the Commission informed as to our progress with these discussions.

The Commission briefly noted liability concerns and wanting to save lives when and if we can. Chairman Flanagan inquired if we could draw off of any of those funds this Department returned to the City at budget’s end to upgrade these units? How much money are we talking about?

A. Appreciation and Recognition: Resident Charlie Richard thanks the Department for response to a call on Academy Street. Sgt. Deluca is thanked by the McClelland School for participation in career day. Specialist Tom O’Connor is recognized by staff for teamwork for teaching an Intro to Excel Course.

A. Financial Reports- July 2006: The bulk of this was covered in the Executive Report. Chief Dubois did add that it’s early to focus on trends, however, he is noticing our predictions for the maintenance line, to keep these aging units on the road is proving to be true. It is not in trouble yet, but we are quickly absorbing those dollars. We are not putting any money into those cruisers to be cycled out of the fleet, it is the cruisers we will move to the back of the fleet that is absorbing these funds.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to enter a non-public session at 8:05 P.M. for the purpose of personnel and legal matters. SECOND by Chairman Flanagan. The motion PASSED by roll call vote, Comm. Dumont-yes, Comm. Stenhouse-yes, Chairman Flanagan-yes. The non-public session closed at 8:37 P.M. on a MOTION by Comm. Dumont, SECOND by Chairman Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to award merit increases, based on a passing evaluations to the next step in the contract for the following officers: Officer Steven Bourque, Officer Aaron Garneau and Sgt. Anthony Deluca. The Motion was SECONDED by Comm. Stenhouse and PASSED unanimously.