Board of Police Commissioners Regular Meeting Agenda

Town of Waterford, Connecticut, Police Commission Meeting Agenda
Auditorium at Waterford Town Hall
5/12/2025 5:00 pm
Call to order and establish quorum:
Pledge of Allegiance:
Public input:
Acceptance of minutes: April 14, 2025 Regular Meeting
Correspondence:
Traffic Commission Review:
Chiefs Report:
a.
b.
K9 Reports for April
Youth Report for April
Investigative Services Report for April
. Training Report for April
Support Services Report for April
Patrol Report for April
Animal Control Report for April
Community Engagement Report for April
Old Business:
a.
Recording of Commission Meetings

New Business:
a. Discussion of out-of-series transfers
b. Police Commission nominations for the term starting June 1, 2025:

MINUTES
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
April 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioner J. Dimmock, Commissioner C. Gamble, Commissioner M.
Gelinas, Commissioner R. Brule
ABSENT: Commissioner T, Sheridan
DEPARTMENT: — Chief M. Balestracci, Lieutenant P. Flanagan, Sergeant Michael Fedor,
Traffic Officer M. Devine, Training Officer M. Sylvestre, Officer B.
Winakor
CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH A QUORUM:
Commissioner Dimmock called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the General Meeting Room
of the Waterford Police Department. A Quorum was established.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC INPUT: Helen Kwasniewski discussed concerns, including speeders in her
neighborhood, line of sight issues, dangerous intersections in town, and late-night loud music
expected in the upcoming months.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Gamble and seconded by Commissioner Gelinas to accept
the March 10, 2025, Regular Meeting minutes. Commissioner Brule abstained. Motion passed.

CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was reviewed.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION REVIEW:
Traffic Report was received.
CHIEF’S REPORT:
a. K9 Reports for March
March report was received.
b. Youth Reports for March
March report was received.
c. Investigative Services for March
March report was received.
d. Training Report for March
March report was received.
e. Support Services Report for March
March report was received.
f. Patrol Report for March
March report was received.
g. Animal Control Report for March
March report was received.
h. Community Engagement Report for March
March report was received.
OLD BUSINESS:
a. Recording Commission Meetings — The IT director, Jeff Robillard, expects the
auditorium to be complete in four to six weeks. The BOE has a person to set up the
audio-visual equipment before recording meetings. He suggested the BOPC may want to
consider assigning someone to do this if meetings are moved to the auditorium for
recording.

NEW BUSINESS:
a. Tour and discussion of locker rooms. The costs of the locker room renovation project are
coming in much higher than anticipated. Officer Sylvestre discussed the increase in
female hiring trends and the fact that there are no locker room facilities for any additional
women officers. Officer Winakor reported on the progress of the locker room committee
and the quotes from contractors they are working with for initial pricing. The committee
is researching cost-saving measures to enable the project to be completed within the
budget. The contractor advised that the project would take approximately thirteen weeks
from start to finish. There was discussion of officers needing a temporary locker room
arrangement during construction.
b. Executive Session for case review.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Dimmock and seconded by Commissioner Brule to
enter into Executive Session, including Chief Balestracci and LT Flanagan at 5:45 p.m.
Motion passed unanimously.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. No votes or actions were taken while
in Executive Session.
MOTION: Made by Commissioner Gelinas and seconded by Commissioner Gamble to adjourn
the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:
Ornis & Droid
Diane E. Driscoll
Recording Secretary

The Waterford Police Department
Traffic Officer Report
April 2025
LINE OF SIGHT ISSUES:
- No new reports
DOT RELATED ISSUES.
- | have requested changes to the previously submitted encroachment permit submitted to DOT
to place solar speed signs on Route 156 in the area between the high school and Jordan Fire
house. The change in request is that we utilize battery powered speed signs, instead the solar.
DOT requirements to install poles for the solar signs would not be cost effective. The battery
powered speed signs will go on the existing speed limit signs.
PARKING COMPLAINTS:
- Working with Zoning regarding commercial vehicle parking complaint, no violation at this time.
- Complaint of RV parked in cul de sac, causing line of sight issue. Owners working to move the
vehicle to new location.
ENFORCEMENT RELATED COMPLAINTS:
- Complaint of speed issues on Summer St. Working on getting speed data.
REQUESTS FOR SIGNS OR CHANGE OF ROADWAY FEATURES:
- Call regarding street light being removed due to a pole replacement. Evening sergeant checked
the area and determined it is recommended to be replaced. DPW contacted and working with
Eversource to ensure the light is returned.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
No upcoming events
UPCOMING ROAD CONSTRUCTION WITH CLOSURE:
No large projects anticipated
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT: 641 Total Traffic Stops
Officer Devine #88 Diogo #95 Reed #93 Total
Infractions 18 292 92 402
warnings 31 149 49 229
misdemeanor 1 5 4 10

The Waterford Police Department
Traffic Officer Report
April 2025
SPEED TRAFFIC SIGN DEPLOYMENT:
The two solar powered speed signs have remained in place at the below listed locations:
13480
12255
11029
9804
8578
7353
6127
4902
3676
2451
1225,
Niantic River Road southbound near
Old Niantic River Road.
April 2025
30 mph zone
i Hh py zn t
@ 8 & 8 &
10524.
9567.
8611
7654.
6697.
5740.
4784
3827
2870
1913,
9574
Great Neck Road southbound in
front of Great Neck School.
April 2025
25 mph Zone
3 a gs & 3 a

The Waterford Police Department
Traffic Officer Report
April 2025
patter Powered Signs: Battery powered speed feedback signs were placed on Old Calenester Road and
Bloomingdale Road. The following data was obtained between April 16, 2025 and April 21, 2025
eee Road down hill
Speed Count |
0-30 mph 646
31-35 mph 2009 fe initi
36-40 mph 2953 31-35 mph
“41-45 mph | 2400 36-40 mph
46-50 mph 977 41-45 mph
51-55 mph 221 46-50 mph —
56-60 mph 41 SPEED 51-55 mph 2
61+ mph 14 | LIMIT 56-60 mph |
3 O @ 61+ mph
Old Colchester Road south of CT
Huinarte Society
{ Speed Count
m030 0-30 680
31-35 31-35. | 1650
136-40 36-40 1790
w41-45 2 41-45 821
46-50 46-50 234
5155 | 51-55 36
| 56-60 10
56-60 DEAE Sil eee sale
‘ 61-65
66-70

The Waterford Police Department
Traffic Officer Report
April 2025
WHALING DR. SPEED STUDY:
April 16, 2025 to April 21, 2025 a speed study was conducted on Whaling drive, based on a complaint
that had been previously received. Whaling Dr, is a cul de sac with approximately eighteen houses on
the road. The complaint received was in regards to speeding at reckless speeds. Utilizing the Jamar
Speed Radar black box, | attached the box ona light pole near the intersection of Whaling Dr and
Lamphere Rd. The box was facing in toward Whaling Dr. and has the capability to records traffic in both
directions. The data obtained showed the average speed in this straight section of the road was 22.8
mph. Whaling Dr. does not have an established speed limit. 75% of recorded traffic was at or below 25
mph. Of the remaining 25% only 2% exceeded 30 mph, with the high speed being 35 mph.

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
K-9 Activity Report
April 2025
K-9 Ozzy
Monthly Uses: 3
2025 Uses: 10
K-9 Tico
Monthly Uses: 5
2025 Uses: 10
K-9 Usage
Ozzy
¢ K9 Ozzy and Officer Genung assisted on a mo-
tor vehicle stop. The operator was providing
conflicting stories and a ripped open Suboxone
strip was observed on the driver’s floorboard.
K9 Ozzy was deployed for an open air sniff of
the vehicle and K9 Ozzy displayed alert behav- |
ior for the presence of narcotics. A hand search
was conducted and no contraband was located
inside the vehicle.
¢ K9 Ozzy and Officer Genung assisted the ELPD ©
in the search of a suspect attempting to gain en-
try into a residence. K9 Ozzy was able to acquire a track and pulled to the cul de sac where he lost the
track. The owner of the building reported a vehicle sitting in the cul de sac that took off shortly after he
arrived home.
Tico
¢ K9 Tico and Officer Surdo assisted in 5 open air sniffs of vehicles for this agency in the month of April.
During one of the open air sniffs, K9 Tico showed alert behavior and the vehicle was eventually hand
searched. Located inside the vehicle were narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Two individuals were tak-
en into custody for the drug charges.
Monthly Training
+ Monthly K-9 training was conducted on 4/8/25 and 4/22/25 in obedience,
tracking, article search, building search, area search, narcotics detections, and
apprehension work.

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Youth Office Activity
Report
April 2025
¢ SRO Malbaurn and Inv. Zaldivar participated in a
Career Q&A presentation at WHS. 22 students at- *
tended and the event was organized by the College
and Career staff at WHS.
¢ During the month of April SRO Lane dealt with a
social media issue in school. There was a harass-
ment issue with students (via text after school) hours
that was largely dealt with on the
school/administrative level.
¢ On April 3rd SRO Lane assisted the school nurse /
admin team with a student that was having seizures.
¢ SRO Malbaurn investigated a report of a student
making “concerning” comments on social media. The
student was evaluated and referred to a school coun-
selor.
¢ Throughout the month of April SRO Lane collaborat-
ed with the Clark Lane Middle School health teacher
and taught classes on the dangers of impaired driv-
ing.
¢ SRO Malbaurn and Off. Boxley assisted the WHS
business department in their “Credit for Life Fair”
on April 28rd.
¢ SRO Winters hosted the Youth Jeopardy Challenge
with the three elementary schools (pictures at right).
Month at a Glance
2— Home Visits
8 - CAD Report
0- Case Reports
Arrests - 0/ JRB Referrals — 0
SROs Lane, Malbaurn and Winters continue to meet and talk with students on a daily basis for school, personal, and
social related topics in an effort to develop lasting relationships b/w the department and the youth in our community.

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
(@N Investigative Services
Division
April 2025
In the month of April 2025 the Investigative Services Division worked or assisted with 9
investigations.
Current Active Investigations (16 Cases):
(These numbers do not include assist’s to the Patrol Division)
Homicide-1 Pistol Permits-12
Burglary-3 Sex Assault-3
Larceny-1 Robbery-2
Firearms Compliance-1 Fraud-1
ID Theft-1 Narcotics-2
Untimely-1 Overdose-1
Year to Date Statistical Report
Case Search Background Arrests Sex
Numbers Warrants Gheeks Assaults
38 17 4 5 5
Ex-Parte's Auto Theft Burglary Unattended Robbery
Deaths
0 0 2 4 di

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Investigative Services
Division
April 2025
April 2025 Updates:
During the month of April, Investigative Services conducted retail surveillance focusing on Ulta in the
Waterford Commons. Investigative Services contributes time to the retail initiative on a regular basis primarily
in an undercover capacity.
Sergeant Avdevich and Lieutenant VanOverloop attended a training focusing on the mental health of officers
while in a Supervisory position.
Investigative Services hosted both CCSU Intern Garvin Lermayer as well as Waterford High School Intern Clara
Mahoney.
Detective Bonkowski completed a two semester course, Scientific Evidence I, at the University of Rhode Island.
This course began in September of 2024 meeting every Friday. Detective Bonkowski received (8) eight college
credits for this course.
Investigative Services has continued to conduct follow-ups regarding the 2012 murder of Kyle Seidel. This
month’s focus was on re-interviewing past persons who may have information regarding the homicide.
Detective O’Connell and Detective Bonkowski attended a five day training on “Shooting Reconstruction”. This
course was hosted by the Henry Lee Institute of Science at the University of New Haven.
The Investigative Services Division completed six search warrants during the month of April for varying cases
ranging from an ongoing robbery investigation to a narcotics arrest.
Investigative Services was assigned one background investigation for a police officer applicant.
April 2025 Investigations:
After a months long investigation lead by Detective Carroll, a male subject was arrested for the burglary of the
Piercing Pagoda at the Crystal Mall. Rapid DNA and the Flock camera system helped to bring this case to a
successful conclusion. The male suspect arrested was charged in the burglary with a larceny value of jewelry of
approximately $125,000.
Detective Bonkowski assisted Patrol with a Risk Warrant after numerous firearms were seized from a home
stemming from a dual domestic arrest of two individuals who reside at the residence.
Detective O'Connell was assigned to an untimely death of a fifty two (52) year old female. This case is not
suspicious in nature.
Investigator Zaldivar was assigned a juvenile sexual assault case involving a female victim and an adult male
suspect. This case is still under investigation pending a search warrant approval from the New London Superior
Court.
An arrest warrant is pending for a male subject in violation of the Sex Offender Registry’s requirements to
notify the state of change of address within a limited period of time.
Investigative Services assisted the New London Police Department in a sexual assault investigation.
Detective Carroll was assigned a years old sexual assault investigation from the Waterford Country School.
This case is still under investigation.

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING REPORT
APRIL 2025
New Officer Updates
Hiring Process: The Waterford Police Department continues it’s efforts in
recruiting and hiring. Training is continuing with the new hiring process to fill two
current vacancies, and two more upcoming vacancies.
Recruit Status: Recruit Maselli and Recruit Abram completed Phase 2 of their
Field Training and are currently in Phase 8. During Phase 8, they are doing 75% of
the work.
Recruit Mack completed his fourth week at the Connecticut Police Academy at
POST-C in Meriden, CT.

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING REPORT
APRIL 2025
Officer Winakor, Officer Charron, and Officer
Reed attended a two-day Basic Interview & In-
terrogation Course hosted here at the Waterford
Police Department. Officers were trained on how
to establish rapport, understand body language,
as well as how to elicit the maximum information
out of a interviewee as possible just to name a 4
few.
Sergeant Firmin and Sergeant Epps attended a
three-day mid-management supervision course.
This course covered topics related to labor rela-
tions, planning, time management, municipal
budgeting, and personnel management towards
the next generation of police officers.
Officer Charron attended a three-day Writing Effective Law Enforcement Reports
training at the Middletown Police Department. This training concentrated on the
organization of thoughts and communicating factual findings into a written re-
port. There were also different strategies discussed on how to improve report
writing and practical exercises to go along with that.
Officer Maffeo hosted a two-day Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforce-
ment (ARIDE) training here at the police department that Officer Boxley and Of-
ficer Suplita attended. This is a POSTC mandated training that all officers have
to receive after graduating from the police academy. This course reviews SFST’s
but is focused on drug impaired driving.
Officer Reed, Investigator Zaldivar, and Sergeant Epps attended a four-day police
mountain bike training hosted here at the
police department that was taught by Of-
ficer Sylvestre and Detective Raymond
Carroll. This training is designed to give
officers all the training they need to be-
come bike certified. This involves bike
maintenance, many hours riding the bicy-
cle, as well as obstacle courses and vari-
ous drills just to name a few.

Records Activity
158
FOI Requests
Warrants 44
Phone Calls
Walk in Assists
Background Checks
Protective Orders
Officer Tasking Requests
Case Erasures
DCF Requests
Court Requests
Abstracts
Video Requests
Reports Accepted
CSO Activity
Adult Arrests
Juvenile Arrests
Firearms Transfers
Pistol Permits Issued
Walk In Complaints
Support Services Report
April 2025
2
co
The CSOs covered 82 shifts during the
month, equating to 651 hours of shift cov-
erage.
CSO Bertrand has been assisting with data
collection for Larceny related offenses for
a crime analysis project.
Records personnel completed a significant
FOI request involving 10 years worth of per-
sonnel information in which the requester
routinely called demanding information. The
difficult caller was handled professionally
and respectfully by records personnel.
A distracted driving grant secured by Admin
Sgt. Fedor provided funding for dedicated
enforcement shifts, leading to 193 traffic
stops with 122 infractions issued.
Fingerprints
Pistol Permits
Employment
Miscellaneous
Peddler/Precious Permits
Warrant Follow Ups

Patrol Report
Commissioners Activity Report
April 2025
DV Incident: Leads to Seizure of Numerous Guns
Patrol Calls for Service
On 4/16/25 day shift responded to a property retrieval complaint Monthly Snap Shot:
on Two Mile Hill RD. Responding officers determined that a
domestic violence incident had occurred several days prior in which Total Service Calls 3084
both parties pointed firearms at one another. Based on
investigative efforts, numerous firearms including an AR-15,a semi- GeeNembers 12
automatic shotgun, and nine high capacity magazines were seized. Arrests 102
Two Risk Protection orders, one Risk Protection Warrant, and two
arrest warrants were prepared and presented to a judge at New jiisetelesiitests 0
London Superior Court. Larcenies 37
Arrest Warrants 8
Domestic Violence 12
Investigations
Traffic Crash 55:
eized firearms at left.
‘eized narcotics at right.
DUI Investigations = 5
EDP/Welfare 35
Check
Retail Theft Initiative: Business Check Leads to Drug Arrest School Checks 48
On 4/21/25 at approximately 10:41pm officers were conducting a
business check at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is the “focus” business of the
week for the Retail Theft Initiative. Officers alertly observed a
suspicious vehicle in the parking lot and advised loss prevention. The | !nfractions Stl
female occupant was observed shoplifting and was taken into custody.
The two male occupants who remained in the vehicle were found to
Motor Vehicle 1125
Written Warnings 430
Verbal Warnings 140
be in possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a scale Misdemeanor 36
commonly used to weigh narcotics. This case resulted in the arrest of
all three subjects for a variety of larceny/narcotics related charges. Other 8
SELF INITIATED MOTOR VEHICLE ACTIVITY BY BADGE NUMBER
437 95: wi 437 traffic stops
93: wi 145 traffic stops
82: wi 59 traffic stops
88: w/ 50 traffic stops
145
39 so 48
3835 341s hk a a a a Sr
9 93 82 88 S10 103 99 87 60 98 8 97 102 96 104 105 79 Of 94 75 SIS 80 D21 Si7 92 83 13 74 84 101
Badge Number

6 Page 2 Patrol Report
Overdose Call Leads to Arrest by Warrant
On April 2nd at 2353 hours the midnight shift was dispatched to an address on
Woodlawn Avenue for a reported drug overdose. Upon arrival officers located a
subject inside of the residence who had been administered naloxone and was
now conscious and alert. The subject initially provided EMS with a fictitious
name. Responding officers were familiar with the subject and knew that he had
three active PRAWN warrants (held by Waterford PD, East Lyme PD, and
Montville PD). The subject was taken into custody for three counts of Failure to
Appear in court in the Second Degree.
Proactive MV Enforcement: Leads to DUI Arrest
On April 9th the midnight shift was conducting proactive motor vehicle enforce-
ment on the RTE | corridor. At 0010 hours Off. Jordan observed a vehicle head-
ing eastbound at a high rate of speed. After catching up to the vehicle, Off. Jor-
dan observed the operator swerving and failing to maintain lane. A traffic stop
was initiated and the operator was found to under the influence of drugs and/or
alcohol. The subject was taken into custody and charged with Failure to Maintain
Lane (CGS 14-236) and Driving Under the Influence (CGS 14-227a).
Car vs. Pedestrian MVACC: Leads to Arrest
On April 2nd patrol responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident in which
it was reported a juvenile was struck by an evading car. Responding officers took
statements and utilized the FLOCK system to identify a suspect vehicle. A short
time later Off. Donovan located the offending vehicle after a FLOCK alert. The
operator was charged with Evading the scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident and
Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian at a Crosswalk.
Sn the Community. Sntereat

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Animal Control
Report
April 2025
¢ The ACOs assisted several citizens by temporarily
taking custody of their dogs for safe keeping until
they could be returned to the owner or their family.
This included 2 untimely deaths, 1 owner sent to the
hospital, and 1 owner arrested.
¢ ACO Ryan completed training on handling danger-
ous dogs with OC spray and “bite stick” to improve
her skills.
¢ Two injured owls were assisted and brought to a
wildlife rehabilitator after being struck by vehicles. One of the owls had to be eu-
thanized due to the extent of injuries, but the other owl is recovering well.
¢ The ACO assisted with a severe cat attack at a local vet office, injuring the vet, a vet
tech, and the owner. The cat was taken into quarantine since it was not current on its
rabies shot.
East
Waterford Lyme
Calls for Service 69 64
After Hour Call Outs 4 6
Tickets Issued 1 0
Warnings Issued 0 i
‘Dog Bites 5 1
Animals Redeemed 9 5
Animals Adopted 2) 0
Animals DOA 1 1
Huthanized 0 0
Total Processed 1 6
Money Taken In $240 $20
‘Donations $120 $5
"Speaking for those who have no voice"

THE WATERFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
Community Engagement Report
April 2025
Internships: Intern Gavin Lermayer shadowed Dispatch, Evening Shift Patrol, School
Resource Officer Lane, Day Shift Patrol, Investigative Services, Training Officer Sylvestre,
Traffic Officer Diogo, Midnight Shift Patrol, and Traffic Officer Reed. Intern Clara Mahoney
shadowed Evidence/Court Officer Maffeo, Evening Shift Patrol, School Resource
Malbaurn, and Community Service Officer Ortiz.
Citizen’s Academy: 20 participants attended classes about the School Resource Officers,
Investigative Services, Use of Force, Dispatch, Marine Patrol, the K-9 Unit, and Digital
Forensic Investigations. Participants witnessed a Phazzer Demo and K-9 Demo. Patrol Ride
Alongs began for participants.
Rotary Club: Attended monthly meeting.
|
Domestic Violence Follow-ups: Conducted 4 follow-ups with DV victims. Attended the
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Quarterly Meeting.
Assistance to Youth Officers: Visited Ballestrini’s Childcare Center. Brought Quaker Hill
School Students to the CT Humane Society to drop-off collected donations. Gave a
student a ride-along to Great Neck School with SRO Winters for a school fundraiser. Spoke
about traffic stop safety at Rae’s Driving School.
K-9 Officer Hodges: Held Read to Hodges at the Waterford Library. Received a Certificate
of Accomplishment from Senator Christopher Murphy, and it was presented by the
Waterford Lion’s Club. Attended the Waterford Youth Football Egg Hunt, the Library
Community Fair, Waterford ACO Easter Bunny Fundraiser. Visited Waterford Ambulance
and Eastern CT Ballet.
Recruiting: Updated recruitment brochures. Interviewed by Mitchell College and Three
Rivers Community College Students about how to become a police officer.
Officer Wellness: Visited the East Lyme Police Department after the untimely death of a
retired officer. Organized a Wellness Day for Evening Shift. Visited Dispatch with donated
snacks for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Attended the Chaplain’s
Breakfast.
Special Olympics Efforts: Visiting multiple businesses for the Adopt A Mile Torch Run
Program. Currently raised $625 for the CT Special Olympics.
Interaction with Senior Services: Visited New London Rehab & Care and Greentree
Manor. Attended Coffee with a Vet.