Board of Police Commissioners - Minutes - 05/10/2021

MINUTES
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
May 10, 2021 5:00 pm

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Meeting ID : 841 3603 9037 Passcode: 324714

Zoom Recording: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/YVbRKBkWqpDiOiSQ5f-iZlbC4tFbE_8hepsFyuoUwxNrjOnM2cAYHKBF5g5AoePi._P8EyKw63LhJgTAj 





PRESENT: Chairman Jim Dimmock, Thomas Sheridan Secretary; Christopher Gamble and Robert Brule Commissioners	

DEPARTMENT:  Chief Mahoney, Lt. Silva, Lt. Balestracci, Lt VanOverloop, Administrative Sergeant Ferland, and Traffic Officer Jake Nickerson 


CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH QUORUM: Called to order at 5:02pm Quorum was established


PUBLIC INPUT
No public input.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 
MOTION:  was made by Rob Brule to accept the March 8, 2021 minutes, seconded by Jim Dimmock, Secretary Sheridan abstained, the motion carries

MOTION: made by Rob Brule Seconded by Commissioner Gamble to accept the meeting minutes of April 12,2021 meeting. Secretary Sheridan abstained the motion passed with majority vote.

CORRESPONDENCE: 

Letter from SGT Spearrin in regards to the professionalism of Officer Viens and Officer Scarpa on a call with a possible home invasion with a knife. 
Letter from William McCoy thanking Officers who responded to his brother’s house for a medical call.




TRAFFIC COMMISSION REVIEW and TRAFFIC REPORT:

Traffic Report received- The Town of Waterford has received two (2) new solar/battery operated signs that were given to the Town by the State of CT.  
Rob Brule thanked Officer Nickerson and LT. VanOverloop for the quick and efficient work in getting the permit for the Senior Parade.


CHIEF’S REPORT


April Patrol report- Report was received 
April-  K9 report- Report was received.  K9 use is down due to the handlers being involved with FTO. K9 Ozzy received a new vest compliments of Scott Rogers of Rudy’s Police K9 foundation, many thanks were expressed. Chief Mahoney stated that the K9 handler met with Kim Frenzel and thanked her and her husband John Lucey for the funding of the K9 and she stated that they would be willing to fund the next K9.  Chief Mahoney expressed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Lucey and Ms. Frenzel for their continued support of the K9 program. 
April Animal Control Report- Report was received.
April Records Report- Report was received.  LT VanOverloop spoke of the Gas line project that will cause traffic issues on Rte 32 from now until September.  The project could take longer if they have to blast.  The work is currently on the side roads, but will eventually end up on 32.  Social media will be utilized to make the community aware of the areas affected.
April Training Report- Report was received. Sgt. Ferland thanked the Library for use of the facility over the last month. 
April Investigation Report- Report was received. Chief Mahoney spoke of the amount of work that goes into investigating crimes and that sometimes the warrants are not signed by the courts after all of the hard work that goes into them.  
April Youth Office Report- Report was received.  
April CSO Report- Report was received. Finger Printing has increased again. The PD has had a drop in the number of CSOs for various reasons. LT Balestracci is working with Chief Mahoney on possibly hiring more.  Chairman Dimmock asked if there has been a decrease in the number of Pistol Permit finger prints since the State began offering them and the answer is no, it has not reduced the number of people being printed.  Secretary Sheridan inquired if it is only Town of Waterford residents being printed.  The residents are the only ones printed for Pistol Permits, however; if they are being printed for employment in the town then we do the finger prints.  

OLD BUSINESS

Traffic Grant-  U drive, U text, U pay- this was covered in the traffic report.  

NEW BUSINESS
There is an issue with the new body cameras that is being addressed with Watchguard to correct the malfunction.  At times the body camera is turning off.  Lt. Silva sent a memo to the company and Chief Mahoney.  Secretary Sheridan asked if all patrol officers and cars have cameras.  Yes, all patrol has cameras. Secretary Sheridan asks if there have been any issues with the officers accepting having to wear them and Chief Mahoney replied that with the new accountability laws in place the officers have been very receptive of them, and that he has already found them to be useful in investigating a few unsubstantiated allegations of officers being rude to persons they were interacting with.
Secretary Sheridan questioned the term of the Chairman of the Board, it was determined that the term had been changed from 6 months to 1 year a few years back.  In reviewing the minutes Chairman Dimmock’s term is up at the end of May 2021.  I 
 
ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: made by Tony Sheridan to adjourn it was SECONDED by Chris Gamble at 5:36 p.m.  Passed unanimously.





Respectfully submitted by:





____________________________
Ruby York
Recording Secretary