Board of Police Commissioners - Minutes - 02/10/2025

MINUTES
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
February 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioner James Dimmock Commissioner Mark Gelinas, Commissioner
Thomas Sheridan
ABSENT: Commissioner R. Brule, Commissioner C. Gamble
DEPARTMENT: Chief Marc Balestracci, Lt. N. VanOverloop, Lt. D. Ferland, Lt. P. Flanagan, Sgt. M. Fedor,
Traffic Officer Mark Devine, Community Engagement Officer E. Fredricks
CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH QUORUM;
Chairman Dimmock called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m. p.m. in the General Meeting Room of the
Waterford Police Department. A Quorum was established.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
PUBLIC INPUT:
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Sheridan and seconded by Commissioner Gelinas to accept the January 13,
2025 Regular Meeting minutes. Motion passed.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Gelinas and seconded by Commissioner Sheridan to accept the January 30,
2025 Special Meeting minutes. Motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was reviewed.
PRESENTATION:
Presentation of the 2024 Police Officer of the Year Award was given to Officer Zachary Bushwack.

TRAFFIC COMMISSION REVIEW:
Traffic report was received. Commissioner Dimmock requested for a check of the stop sign at Douglas and
Vauxhall. Traffic Officer Devine stated that during the winter the battery sometimes malfunctions due to lack of
sunlight. Traffic Officer Devine said he would look into the issue.
CHIEF’S REPORT:
a. K9 Reports for January
January report was received.
b. Youth Reports for January.
January report was received.
c. Investigative Services for January.
January report was received.
d. Training Report for January
January report was received.
e. Support Services Report for January
January report was received.
f. Patrol Report for January
January report was received.
g. Animal Control Report for January
January report was received.
h. Community Engagement Report for January
January report was received.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Recording Commission Meetings — Set-up is complete. The equipment is functional. The only item left is
video and that is out for bid. There is no timeline when this project will be completed but it is moving quickly.
NEW BUSINESS:
a, Tier III Accreditation Report Results — Sgt. Michael Fedor presented a report for the Tier III Accreditation.
The department has met this accreditation requirement almost a year in advance as the deadline is 2026. Audits
will begin in 2026 and “standards of proofs” will be required to keep the accreditation. These audits will be
done on site and/or remotely. Both digital and hard copy standards of proofs will be required. The State of
Connecticut mandates these standards according to the police accountability legislation. These audits will be
done indefinitely.
b. Mentorship Program — Sgt. Michael Fedor presented the information for the Mentorship Program.
1. Tier I— New applicants applying to Police App will be contacted by a department Mentor to
answer any questions and help prepare them for the process. This tier started a month ago.

2. Tier II — After the applicant has been hired and completed the police academy and the FTO
program, a Mentor will be a point of contact for any guidance during the next two (2) years of their
career.
3. Tier III— Mentors who hold rank will assist officers with the next rank that they are interested in.
The officer would work a shift and be cross-trained for “real world” experience in the position they
are seeking to better prepare them for the position and assist the agency for continuity of
operations in a true emergency.
c. Introduction of student interns -CCSU student Gavin Lermayer and Waterford High School student Clara
Mahoney were introduced to the Commission. Each intern has a 120 hour requirement to complete their
internship.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Sheridan and Seconded by Commissioner Gelinas to adjourn the meeting at
5:34 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:
Jennifer nderson
Recording Secretary