April 11 - Madison, Connecticut

MADISON DEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICES
REGULAR MEETING – April 11, 2013
9 CAMPUS DRIVE, MADISON– 5:30 PM
April 11, 2013
Attendees:
Also Present:
Absent:
Chairman Eric Thornburg; Commissioner Garry Gyenizs; Commissioner Thom Cartledge;
Vice Chairman Ed Dowling; Commissioner Marietta Lee
Commander John Rich; Board of Selectmen Liaison Al Goldberg; Board of Finance Liaison
Sandy McKissick
Chief Jack Drumm; Town Engineer Mike Ott
REGULAR SESSION
Opening and Call to Order at 5:33 PM by Vice Chairman Dowling followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES
MOTION by Gyenizs, second by Cartledge to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 14.
MOTION by Lee, second by Cartledge to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of March 21, 2013. All
in favor. None opposed. So moved.
CHIEF’S REPORT – Budget & Financial Reports Tabled due to absence of Chief Drumm
Chief Drumm is still recovering from surgery; he will be back soon.
Commander Rich provided a brief synopsis of department activity for the month of March.
Several reports of suspicious persons & vehicles occurred on school grounds during school hours.
Tomorrow at 11:00 AM the lateral candidate will take his physical agility test; background is well underway.
Statistics: 125 Alarms, 68 of which were burglar, 23 were 911 calls, 32 Suspicious Vehicles; 29 Suspicious
Persons; 94 Criminal Investigations; 54 Animal Nuisance complaints, 2 Juvenile, Juvenile Alcohol 2;
Narcotics-related; 41 Fingerprint requests; 120 R-1 First Responder calls. There were 960 calls for service for
the month; 31 daily.
Chairman Thornburg arrives at 5:41
Training (March) included
Commander Rich reviewed the training activity report for March; there is a good mix of in-house and
formalized training to include a total of 22 class sessions for 263 total class hours. Training included: MRT
Certification; Leading and Influencing for Optimal Employee Performance at Quinnipiac University; Officer
Re-Certification Training; Constitutional Law Instructor Training; Police K-9 Training; Employee Assistance
Program for Supervisors; North East Tactical Officers Association; Taser Instructor Training and Taser
Certification; Accreditation Training Program (CALEA Conference); ERT Training; Roll Call Training (US
Supreme Court Case regarding K-9 Searches).
Commissioner Dowling asked if Paco is routinely called for traffic stops. Commander said if the officer(s)
believe there are narcotics present, they will request a search.
Commissioner Dowling asked how you categorize the mandatory vs. optional training program. Commander
Rich said anything with instruction toward retaining certification such as a supervisor’s requirement for
certification leaning toward their credits; tactical training receives credit hours for use of force; Taser is
updated mandatory hours. Most training is to maintain certification for POST requirements.
TRAFFIC – Most common cause of accidents is following too closely; decreased numbers are due to
improved weather.
Financial Report (March): Financial report was tabled for the month;
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April 11, 2013
Community Outreach: Det. Rosati attended the monthly meetings as usual for committees related to
the Juvenile Review Board, Shoreline Domestic Violence Task Force and conducted a Babysitter
Seminar with the Women’s Club; Sgt. Perron spoke to the Women’s Group at the Congregational Church
and demonstrated how he would conduct a narcotics search with his K-9 Gwen. Within the past week,
officers participated in Law Day at Polson and the Newcomers’ Club Touch a Truck at the Surf Club.
Chairman Thornburg asked if the officers receive affirmation back when they participate in community affairs.
Commander Rich said – yes, there is a tremendous, positive response.
Correspondence: Commander Rich read a letter of appreciation from Mrs. Kathy DeBurra, President of the
Women’s Club to Chief Drumm acknowledging appreciation for the assistance of Mrs. Christie Hodge and
Det. Phil Rosati regarding the recently conducted babysitting seminar; he also read a letter to Officer Joe Race
from Chief Carl Sferrazza of Enfield in appreciation of his assistance during an on-site mock CALEA
assessment
Additionally, Commander Rich read an email received on April 11 th from the Principal of Ryerson School
related to Officer Jeremy Yorke who is currently assigned to school security; she complimented the officer on
his interaction with the Ryerson community, its faculty and students. She feels he is a real asset.
If you see something suspicious, call the police department; that’s how we catch criminals.
Public Comments: NONE
Old Business: None
Correspondence:
Traffic Updates: Town Engineer Ott – No Report
Commissioner Cartledge reported all is quiet and under control. All is OK. Chairman Thornburg added, the
influx will arrive soon and asked Commander Rich if there is activity at the Department in preparation.
Commander Rich replied speed enforcement radar has been recalibrated; there is increased traffic activity on
both the connector and in Hammonasset; things are picking up.
CALEA: Commander Rich gave a brief summary on CALEA in the absence of Officer Joe Race.
Officer Race attended the CALEA conference in North Charleston, SC March 20-24 where he learned what is
required at the on-site assessment. Prior to the on-site assessment the Department will need to mail off
approximately 300 files. He returned as a certified Accreditation Manager which is a CALEA standard and
attended Accreditation Manager training at POST on April 3, the CONNPAC meeting on April 4 th and a Central
Connecticut State University mock assessment on March 28th.
Officer Race has nearly completed the 180 files necessary for accreditation and will begin going through all
files for advanced accreditation in the next week. Advanced accreditation requires 300 additional files. He
continues working with CONNPAC members as well as meeting with Dennis Harrell from the Judicial
Marshal's office who has been auditing the files. Progress is slow but constant.
Commissioner Dowling asked for a target date for certification; Commander Rich advised a mock assessment
will be sometime in August.
Chairman Thornburg noted the recently received uniform award from the ‘North American Association of
Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors’ (NAUMD). Commander Rich explained that the Department
received an award for being the best dressed public safety officers; Red the Uniform Tailor is the vendor. He
feels it speaks to the professionalism and appearance of the officers who look and act professionally. Officers
were good sports. Chairman Thornburg concluded, when the Chief started assessing the appearance of
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April 11, 2013
Madison’s officers they were mismatched, the officers’ uniforms were pilled and it sent the wrong message.
Way to go – congratulations!
Commander Rich noted on behalf of Special Olympics Connecticut the officers would be participating in Tip a
Cop at Donahue’s on 4/18 from 5:30-9:00. This is a major fundraiser in support of Special Olympics.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
MOTION by Gyenizs second by Cartledge to adjourn to Executive Session at 6:00.PM. All in favor. None
opposed. So moved.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Present:
Discussed:
Thornburg; Gyenizs; Cartledge; Lee; Dowling; Rich. Liaisons McKissick; Goldberg
Status of Labor Negotiations
MOTION by Dowling, second by Lee to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 6:30 PM. All in favor. None
opposed. So moved.
Minutes Accepted: May 9, 2013
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