Police Commission Minutes 11/07/2007

The Rochester Police Commission held their regular monthly meeting in the police department lecture hall, on November 7, 2007. Present at this meeting was, Comm. Flanagan and Comm. Dumont, Chief Dubois, Dep. Chief Allen, Capt. Callaghan, Capt. Dumas, Attorney Grossman, Chaplain Ron Lachapelle, and Secretary Warburton.

A. Accreditation Update. Capt. Dumas said that we are targeting the early part of 2008 for teams to come in to look at us, and we are building the files for that now. The manual has been distributed and we are working on aggressive training with staff, timed with the Commission approval of the policies. We did have to make some changes to our policy with regard to the deadly force standard, so those policies have been updated to reflect those changes. Copies were provided to the Commission.

C. Housing Officer; Change Position to Part Time; Discussion. Chief Dubois stated that we have been looking at this for some time, with the housing director, the City Manager and Finance Staff and the Commission. We are at a point we’d like to recommend moving this to a part time position. We have discussed the issue with the staff at Standards and Training and compared it to our goals regarding the accreditation process. “f we go the way I’m recommending we won’t have any problems in any of those areas. This will be less expensive financially for housing and the City to employ the position this way. They will get more hours for the same money.” With your approval we can move forward with the City Manager and Council for their review. It has to go to the Council as it is a new position with a pay rate as a part time position, and they have to approve that portion of it. The Commission still decides the salary and hiring.

Chief Dubois replied that we will employ two types of officers. Those certified full time and working full time, and those with a full time certification, working part time. The part time certification does the same job with only one half the training that is provided to a full time officer. To employ this person with a full time certification on part time hours keeps us in line with CALEA, training and liability.

A. Oath of Office: Comm. Flanagan gave the oath of office to Officer Aubuchon and Officer Smith. The families and friends of the respective officers, as well as Department members were on hand to witness their achievements.

B. Achievement Recognition: 20 Year Service Plaque: Chief Dubois introduced this award. He stated that Officer Donovan Funk has worked in various capacities in the police department during his career and has built strong relationships at several levels. The juvenile program he was involved in over the summer is a good example. He stated that Officer Funk is currently assigned to the Resource Officer position at the Middle School and is doing a great job. We want to honor Officer Funk and thank him for his years of service. Chairman Flanagan presented him with a plaque.

C. Military Service Bar: Officer Randy Smith: Chief Dubois noted that Officer Smith, having served with the Air Force, meets the requirements to wear the military service bar on his uniform. Chairman Flanagan presented the bar to Officer Smith.

Comm. Flanagan MOVED to accept the notice of intent to retire for Officer Macaione, with regret. Comm. Dumont commented that Officer Macaione was a good man and SECONDED the MOTION, which then PASSED unanimously.

E. Education Incentive: Officer Hana Stickles, Officer Molly Aubuchon. It was noted that Officer Stickles recently completed the requirements for a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice. Also Officer Aubuchon has a Bachelor degree in Psychology and Justice studies.

1. Patrol Division: Deputy Chief Allen. Deputy Chief Allen stated that burglaries and vandalism continue to be a problem. We are working on different way to attack this. We have made arrests over the past month. The Ward 4 Halloween party had 150 folks in attendance. This was a great turnout and we received some good feedback. There are plans for a Holiday party this year as well.

2. Support Division: Capt. Scott Dumas. Capt. Dumas noted that Det. Boudreau would come before the Commission for a promotion interview this evening. If all goes well in that aspect, it’s going to cause a void in the support side regarding evidence. We have someone filling in, in the interim, which we hope to maintain as we restructure. This will help keep our resources in patrol to address response times. As we begin building the budget, perhaps we can civilianize some of these positions. What we are doing is working out okay, but may be more difficult longer term.

3. Communications. Capt. Dumas said that we are working diligently on the dispatch overtime. We have a plan, which includes Martha in a part time status, until the end of January, with the caveat we can control and maintain with the plan established. If we have weeks like the last two, we may not be able to do that. Other issues include a smooth transition when we do find a replacement, so this person may gain knowledge of the system we have in place. We plan to advertise on November 15 for the position. We have just increased the pay for the position in hopes of attracting a larger applicant pool.

4. Financial./ Administrative Report: Capt Callaghan advised that he is working on our CIP budget. He is also reviewing the budget to keep officers on the street at minimum costs. As noted by Capt. Dumas we are still watching the dispatch overtime closely. We also had some labor costs this year with the contract and had to pull some money to beef up that line. Our ammunition line is pretty well expended, (due to current firearms training) but all other lines look good.

The connection we have made with Rochester Main Street, Rochester Youth and the RUN Program is paying off. We have done some work on the lantern parade and got a lot of good press on that. We also got some press on recent arrests as well as press on an earlier collaboration that solved a burglary ring.

1. Election. Comm. Dumont said that in this past election, Comm. Flanagan was defeated for his seat. That is our fault. All of the candidates used response time as an issue. We should have corrected this a long time ago. He took a beating because of it and I feel terrible. I’m just as much at fault. We should have found better ways to do that.

Comm. Flanagan said “part of that was my responsibility.” We’ve had lots of calls and people complaining. We are growing fast and don’t have the resources. We have to find ways to resolve this before we leave.

Chief Dubois said that it is our plan to do that. But he would disagree that we haven’t done anything. He said, “This Commission worked hard. You supported more staff and got the support of the Council to do that. I agree we need to do better and I commit to you we will do better. But, I want to applaud the work you have done in the past and up to this point. I feel strongly you have supported this Police Department and worked hard for the people of this city.

A. Appreciation and Recognition: Comm. Flanagan said that it is nice to have people, businesses and families write, thank and recognize officers in their jobs, thinking more of the people than of their own selves. We have a real professional organization and we are proud of each and every one here. The letters included; Progressive Foods thanks Officer Emerson for a recent assist. Mayor Larochelle nominates Supervisor Swats for Unicel Hometown Hero Award. A Safe Place recognizes Det. Frechette with a “sign of hope” award. The McLaren family thanks Officer Miehle and Specialist Daigle for compassion expressed during a call for service at the home of the family.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to enter a non-public session at 7:32 P.M. for the purpose of personnel and legal matters. SECOND by Comm. Flanagan. The motion PASSED by roll call vote, Comm. Dumont-yes, Comm. Flanagan-yes. The non-public session closed at 8:07 P.M. on a MOTION by Comm. Dumont, SECOND by Comm. Flanagan and PASSED Unanimously.

Comm. Dumont MOVED that the following merit increases be awarded, based on satisfactory evaluations, to the next step in the contract, to: Off. Kusinerz, Off. Mackenize, Off. Rousseau, Off. O’Connor, Off. Aucoin. The motion was SECONDED by Comm. Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.

Comm. Dumont MOVED that Gary Boudreau is promoted to Sergeant, effective November 11, 2007; pay to be set at first step Sergeant. The motion was SECONDED by Comm. Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to grant the request of Gary Turgeon to resume the rank of Sergeant, effective November 11, 2007, with pay to be set at top step Sergeant. The motion was SECONDED by Comm. Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.

Comm. Dumont MOVED to set the pay for the part-time HUD position as follows: Effective December 2007, pay shall be $18.00 per hour. Position shall be reviewed twice in the following sixty days, at 30-day intervals. Upon achieving satisfactory reviews at both intervals, the pay rate shall increase at the first thirty days to $21.00 per hour and to $23.00 per hour at the second thirty-day review. The motion was SECONDED by Comm. Flanagan and PASSED unanimously.