BOARD of POLICE COMMISSIONERS
of the City of Portsmouth, N.HJohn D. Kelley, Chairman
William F. Devine
Gerald Howe
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2002 MONTHLY MEETING
Noon (Non-Public) 1:00 PM (Public)
Portsmouth Police Department - Wm. D. Mortimer Conference Room
The chairman called the March 19, 2002 monthly Police Commission Meeting to order at 12:05 PM I. CALL TO ORDER:
(One cassette tape documenting this meeting is on file for reference).
Action:
Commissioner Devine moved that the board convene a non-public session.
Seconded by Commissioner Howe.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
Present during non-public session: Commissioners Kelley, Devine and Howe, Chief Brad Russ,
Deputy Chief Magnant, and City Attorney Robert Sullivan.
Action:
Commissioner Devine moved that the Board return to public session.
Seconded by Commissioner Howe.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion at 1:07 PM.
Present during public session: Commissioners Kelley, Devine, and Howe, Chief Russ, Deputy Chief Magnant, Budget Coordinator Karen Senecal, City Councilor Harold Whitehouse, Captain David Young, Captain Len DiSesa, Sergeant Earl Case, Officer Andre Wassouf, Officer Michael Maloney, Officer Brian Stubbs, Officer Rodney McQuate, Officer Michael MacKenzie, Officer Robert Lukacz, Officer Tim Cashman, Detective Steve Arnold, Detective Mark Newport, two members of the print media and Executive Assistant Carol Bryant.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Howe.
III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Action:
Commissioner Howe moved that the Board accept the minutes of the meetings held on
February 19, 2002 and March 15, 2002.
Seconded by Commissioner Devine.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
V. NEW BUSINESS:
- POLICE COMMISSION:
- Personnel Items that Require Action
Action:
Commissioner Howe moved that the Board appoint the following employees to permanent status:
- Auxiliary Officer Alex Reno effective March 1, 2002
- Budget Coordinator Karen Senecal effective March 22, 2002
Seconded by Commissioner Devine.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
B. CHIEF OF POLICE:
- Recognition of Officer Andre Wassouf and Officer Wayne Boucher
for their work on arrest #02-105.- Recognition of Sergeant Ronchi, Detective Arnold and Detective Newport
for their work during January and February, 2002 in the Special Investigations Unit.- Recognition of Officer Michael MacKenzie, Officer Russell Russo, Officer Corey MacDonald, Officer Michael Kotsonis, Officer Robert Lukacz, and Officer Michael Maloney
for their response to a structure fire on February 19, 2002.- Recognition of Deputy Chief Magnant, Captain David Young, Detective Semprini, Officer Brabazon, Officer Colby, Officer McQuate and Officer Cashman
for participating in Read Across America Day on March 7, 2002.- Recognition of Officer Cummings and Officer Stubbs
for their response to a structure fire on March 10, 2002 and the subsequent arrest of the arson suspect.- Financial Reports
were presented by Budget Coordinator Karen Senecal. The projected deficit for FY02 was discussed. It was noted that training is currently limited to re-certification training or training that does not involve overtime. Chief Russ also noted that the Municipal Trust is willing to pay for the cost of the instructors, logistics and equipment for an "active shooter training" at the High School, but we currently can not conduct this training due to overtime costs of between $6,000 and $8,000.- Personnel & Training Report
was presented.- Community Relations Report
was presented. Chief Russ thanked Jim Baker from Foster's Daily Democrat and Michelle Firmbach from the Portsmouth Herald for working with us on many positive stories on the Police Department .- Division and Team Reports
were presented as follows:
- Records Division - Chief Russ reviewed the possibility of moving the Records Division to the first floor as part of the construction of the new Dispatch Center.
- Information Systems Division
- Accident Investigation Team
- Honor Guard
- N.H. Highway Safety Agency Grant for sobriety checkpoints totaling $5113.60
.Action:
Commissioner Howe moved that the Board accept the N.H. Highway Safety Agency Grant for sobriety checkpoints totaling $5,113.60 and that this grant be forwarded to the City Council for their review and approval and that the Board endorse the applications sent to the N.H. Highway Safety Agency for No Tolerance Speed Limit Enforcement and Cruiser Video Camera Systems.
Seconded By commissioner Devine.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
11. Donations for the Honor Guard:
Action:
Commissioner Howe moved that the Board accept the donations for the Honor Guard from Enterasys Networks and Aprisma Management Technology for $2,000 each and that these donations be forwarded to the City Council for their review and approval.
Seconded by Commissioner Devine.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.
12. Letters of Thanks and Appreciation:
- From Anne Marley thanking Detective Arnold for his assistance in retrieving her lost wallet.
- From Charles S. Prouty, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Officer, thanking Sgt. Ronchi, Sgt. Puopolo, Detective Arnold and Detective Roth for their joint investigation with the Dover Police Department that solved an armed bank robbery that had taken place in Dover in June of 2000.
- From Dr. Wendy Gladstone recognizing Chief Russ with a certificate of appreciation for his dedication to protecting the state's children as one of the founders of the Seacoast Child Advocacy Center.
- From David Wason, Rye Cub Scout Pack 183, thanking Officer Tim Black and Turbo for their presentation on February 13th.
- From Frank C. Wisinksi thanking Animal Control Officer Austin Wallace for his assistance with a raccoon.
- From Nathan Dunn thanking Officer Andre Wassouf for his assistance and his commitment to law enforcement.
- From Marge Hubbard thanking Officer Stacy for letting her participate in a ride-a-long in February 2002.
C. PATROL SERVICES BUREAU:
- Log Activity Reports
were presented.- Status of Personnel Out Sick or Injured
- Officer Bigda continues to be out sick with an off-duty ailment. Captain Schladenhauffen has returned to work on light-duty status after having an operation for an off-duty injury. Officer Sargent continues to be deployed with the National Guard.- Update on Special Events Log
– none noted for this month, but the busy season forwalk-a-thons and road races will soon be upon us.
- Emergency Communications Center Report
was presented.5. Auxiliary Police Activity Report was presented.
D. CITY PROSECUTOR REPORT: The February court disposition report was presented.
E. BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES: The monthly report was presented.
- MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER BUSINESS:
- City Councilor Whitehouse noted that there are several events scheduled for May 4, 2002 . These include: Children's Day, a bike tour traveling through the City and a 5K Road Race.
- Jim Baker from Foster's Daily Democrat extended his appreciation to the Department for their help in evacuating residents during the fire on Columbia Street.
- Michelle Firmbach from the Portsmouth Herald asked about the possible date for video cameras being installed in the police cruisers. Chief Russ noted that this is depended on grant funding and no specific time table is set. It was also noted that the Department would have to work with the Court to insure that they would accept video documentation. Training on the use of the video systems was also discussed.
Action:
Commissioner Howe moved that the Board adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner Devine.
On a Roll Call Vote: the Board unanimously voted in favor of the motion @ 1:50 PM
VII. NEXT MEETING: April 16, 2002 at 1:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
Respectfully Submitted By Carol Bryant, Executive Assistant
Reviewed By Commissioner Gerald Howe, Clerk