OLD SAYBROOK POLICE COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 27, 2006
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting of the Old Saybrook Police Commission was held on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall. PRESENT: Vice Chairman Gallicchio, Commissioners Burnham, Dobratz, Gallicchio, Metsack and Winkler. Also, Lt. Barrows, Lt. McDonald, Lt. Spera, Lt. Stuart, Det Sgt. Heiney, Ptl. Barnes and Ptl. Gardner.
Vice Chairman Gallicchio called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. He reported that Chairman Conklin is out of town and had asked Vice Chairman Gallicchio to conduct the meeting.
Lt. Stuart reported that Chief Mosca had injured his leg while moving a refrigerator and was unable to attend. He asked Lt. Stuart to report to the commission in his place.
1. Minutes
Vice Chairman Gallicchio asked for discussion or approval of the minutes of the December 19, 2005 meeting. Motion made by Comsr. Dobratz and seconded by Comsr. Winkler to accept the minutes of the December 19, 2005 meeting, as submitted. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
2. Comments from the Public
No comments were made by the public.
3. 05-06 Operating Budget
Lt. Stuart reported that payroll expenditures are closely monitored and on track. He then discussed various line items in the expenses and supplies area of the budget. He mentioned Chairman Conklin’s second letter to the Board of Finance regarding the shortfall in gasoline funds, and indicated the Chief has asked officers to reduce idling time in order to preserve gasoline. Commissioners asked for explanations regarding certain line items. Comsr. Metsack asked for a print-out of itemized expenditures at the end of the fiscal year.
4. 06-07 Operating and Capital Budget
Lt. Stuart asked Lt. Spera to report. Lt. Spera stated that the Chief, all lieutenants, Ptl. Gardner and Exec. Asst. Klingerman attended a budget workshop with the selectmen, at which the budget was explained through a Power Point presentation and discussion with the selectmen. A subsequent workshop was requested by the selectmen and was attended by the Chief, Lt. Spera, Ptl. Gardner and Exec. Asst. Klingerman. He reported that at that workshop the budget was discussed line by line, and reported the changes made. In addition to changes due to the loss of Communication Technicians Jeff Skau and Deborah Mill, who took other jobs, and the incorporation of Ptl. Smith’s salary to accommodate his rehiring in accordance with the Labor Board ruling, the department was asked to further reduce Personnel by
$8,000, Expenses & Supplies by $5,500, and the Contractual Legal line item by $25,000. The department’s proposal, approved by the Police Commission, had maintained that line item at $50,000 based on past years and the fact that police contract negotiations are ongoing. The Selectmen expressed optimism regarding those contract negotiations, and directed that line item be reduced by $25,000.
Comsr. Burnham expressed discomfort discussing a budget that accommodates a settlement about which she has not been informed, and made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss proposed settlement of legal issues. Motion seconded by Comsr. Gallicchio and approved by unanimous vote. Lt. Stuart was invited to remain. Meeting moved to Executive Session at 7:45 p.m.
Meeting returned to regular session at 8:00 p.m.
Motion made by Comsr. Metsack and seconded by Comsr. Burnham to remove the 2006-2007 Operating and Capital budgets from the table until more information is available regarding settlement of legal issues. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
5. Personnel
Lt. Stuart reported that Communication Technicians Mill and Skau have left the department for full time positions with another employer. Comm. Tech. Mill continues to take part time work with the department, and Comm. Tech. Shannon Murphy has been hired to replace Comm. Tech. Skau.
Lt. Stuart reported that Ptl. DellaRocco has been granted a six-week worker’s compensation extension, and expects to return to work at the end of that period.
Lt. Stuart asked if there were any questions regarding the School Resource Officer report, submitted in written form and attached to and made a part of these minutes. Comsr. Burnham asked how the Explorer Program is coming, and Lt. Stuart asked Ptl. Barnes to respond. Ptl. Barnes reported he has nine applications, and will be meeting with applicants shortly, conducting interviews and making final selections in April. He is looking for 5 to 12 members and expects the program to be in full swing by summer. Ptl. Barnes also reported he is involved in many proactive programs in the school, and gave examples of student involvement. He also stated that DARE will continue at St. John’s and Middle Schools.
6. Accreditation
Lt. Stuart asked Det. Sgt. Heiney to report on the accreditation process. Det. Sgt. Heiney reported he had participated in a Tier One evaluation at Waterford Police Department, and learned what inspectors look for, which will be helpful in this department’s process. He updated the commission on the department’s accreditation process, including tasks given each lieutenant, and development of a department mission statement, beginning with requests for input from each department member, which will be reviewed and distilled into a mission statement. Comsr. Winkler and Comsr. Dobratz asked to see the submissions by members of the department, and all commissioners said they would like copies. These will be mailed before the next meeting.
Det. Sgt. Heiney stated the Firearms Discharge Review Board Policy, presented to the commission on April 25, 2005, and deferred at the May 23, 2005 meeting until after all investigations and reviews of the May 5, 2005 shooting were completed, could now be acted upon. Discussion and questions followed regarding who might sit on that board, how members of that board would be appointed, responsibilities of the board and under what circumstances the board’s findings would be referred to the Police Commission. Det. Sgt. Heiney was asked to find out if the accreditation standards require that only sworn members of the department serve on the board, and inform the commission at the next meeting.
Det Sgt. Heiney asked for discussion or approval of the Continuity of Executive and Administrative Functions and Operations Policy, which was mailed ahead to commissioners. Discussions followed regarding certain wording and current practice. Det. Sgt. Heiney is to amend the proposed policy with changes requested by the Police Commission.
Det. Sgt. Heiney then asked for discussion or approval of the Promotional Opportunities/Process Policy, which was mailed ahead to commissioners. After short discussion, motion made by Comsr. Burnham and seconded by Comsr. Winkler to approve the Promotional Opportunities/Process Policy. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Det. Sgt. Heiney asked for discussion or approval of the News Media Relations Policy, which was mailed ahead to commissioners. Discussion followed regarding changes in the laws covering what medical and age information is legally releasable. Motion was made by Comsr. Winkler and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to approve the News Media Relations Policy, with grammatical corrections to Paragraph IV.A. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Motion made by Comsr. Burnham and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to remove the old News Media policy. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Det. Sgt. Heiney asked for discussion or approval of the Arrest Abatement Policy, which was mailed ahead to commissioners. After short discussion, motion was made by Comsr. Winkler and seconded by Comsr. Dobratz to approve the Arrest Abatement Policy, with grammatical changes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Training
The written training report was mailed ahead to commissioners. Lt. McDonald was present to answer any questions, but none were asked. A copy of that report is attached to and made a part of these minutes.
Lt. Stuart stated that during past discussions, consideration was given to having a Taser© representative make a presentation before the commission, and asked if there was interest in scheduling such a presentation. In response to questions regarding lawsuits brought against the company, Lt. McDonald indicated most have been settled. After discussion of how purchase of this equipment might be funded, it was agreed to invite a Taser© representative to make a presentation to the commission for those who want to see it. Commissioners will be informed of the time, date and place once it is scheduled.
8. Traffic
Lt. Stuart reported that the stop signs on Elm Street/Ingham Hill Road, as approved at the last meeting, have been installed and are being enforced with warnings until the public becomes familiar with them. The position of one sign will be adjusted to make it more visible.
9. Communications
Ptl. Gardner, also Chairman of the town’s Communication Committee, reported the Request for Proposal has been completed and endorsed by all town public safety agencies. Ptl. Gardner will forward the RFP document to First Selectman Pace and his Board for their review and hopes they will release it for bid in the near future. He also reported that the sale of the SBC property, adjacent to the Police Department, has gone through. SBC requested that the property be fenced, as part of the sale agreement.
10. Events
Lt. Stuart reported the department is expanding its Community Policing programs to include initiatives of all officers, which may include improvements to and continuation of existing programs, or creation of new programs. Lt. Stuart will be the coordinator and advisor of this expansion.
Lt. Stuart reported that the department will host the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Board of Officers’ retreat scheduled for June 9th and 10th at Saybrook Point. Members of the commission are invited and welcome to attend the reception on June 9th. The location and time will be announced.
11. Correspondence
Correspondence received since the last meeting was circulated for commissioners to review.
12. Activity Report
Det. Sgt. Heiney reported the department handled 3,820 incidents exclusive of administrative incidents, and 642 citations since the December 19, 2005 meeting. He gave specific information on several cases including the warrant arrest of the owner of a handgun, which had an obliterated serial number, seized at the execution of search warrants at Comfort Inn; arrests of a New London man and a New York City man in connection with counterfeit $100 bills; the arrest of a 69 year old Florida man for Risk of Injury, Unlawful Restraint and Reckless Endangerment where the victim was his 14 year-old step-granddaughter; the arrest of a 59 year-old man for throwing a victim through a plate glass window during a fight on Main Street; the investigation of 15 residential burglaries in the Chalker Beach area; the arrest of a 24
year-old man for burglary and larceny at the library; and the arrest of a 69 year-old man for threatening after he placed his hand on a concealed weapon he was wearing during an argument with an acquaintance.
13. Comments and Concerns of Commissioners
Comsr. Dobratz expressed his praise and appreciation for the handling of two medical emergencies at Caring Ways by officers of the department.
Motion to adjourn made by Comsr. Dobratz and seconded by Comsr. Burnham. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
JoAnne Klingerman
Executive Assistant
These minutes are subject to approval by the
Old Saybrook Police Commission at its
March 27, 2006 meeting.
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