Laconia Police Commission hears grants, staffing and crime statistics; approves minutes and moves to non-public session

The Laconia Police Commission on March 27 heard a series of operational updates from Chief Matthew Canfield on grant applications, equipment purchases, staffing and crime statistics, accepted the March 6 meeting minutes and voted to enter a non-public session to discuss personnel matters.

Chief Matthew Canfield told commissioners the department reapplied for grant funding through U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s and Rep. Chris Pappas’ offices to complete a storage building behind the police station, at the current impound lot, to store equipment now kept outdoors. "Once we secure the funding for it, it would go out to bid," he said. He also said the department received an $11,000 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant to purchase ballistic-rated helmets "so each officer will have a ballistic-rated helmet assigned to them." The department completed installation of a new server and is migrating licenses and systems to the new platform, the chief said.

Canfield reviewed personnel and staffing data for 2023, reporting one retirement, two trainees who resigned during training, two who left for civilian sector work and four who left for other law enforcement agencies. "Two of them left for better schedules," he said. On internal oversight, he said most Internal Professional Conduct complaints were initiated internally by supervisors, which he said shows the department holds staff accountable.

On crime and use-of-force statistics, Canfield reported 956 physical custody arrests in 2023 with force used in 4.7% of those arrests, compared with 1,303 arrests and 4.06% use-of-force in 2022. "We've always had a very good restraint when it comes to use of force," he said.

Monthly activity for February included 1,932 calls for service, 64 park walk-and-talks, 240 extra patrols, 19 community policing events and 250 criminal offenses investigated; 186 of those were cleared by arrest. Traffic enforcement that month included 715 motor vehicle stops and 36 crashes, eight with injury; Union Avenue was listed as the top location for accidents.

Canfield also highlighted community engagement and donations: officers participated in Special Olympics events; the Laconia Police Relief Association Family Fund received $7,500 from a local auction; private donors Kurt and Polly Brungard gave $15,000 toward a proposed police firearms range (accepted by the city council on second reading), and the Jensen Benevolent Fund offered $25,000 toward the same project, which remains with the council for acceptance. He said the department is coordinating with the city manager and mayor on services for people experiencing homelessness after Isaiah’s closes on April 1. Canfield said CALEA reaccreditation on-site review is scheduled for Aug. 5–8 and National Night Out will be held Aug. 6 at Peachy Park.

Administrative items: commissioners moved to accept the minutes of the March 6 meeting; the commission record states the motion was made by Commissioner Mello and seconded by Commissioner Davis and passed unanimously. Later the commission voted to enter a non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II(a) to discuss dismissal, promotion, discipline or investigation of public employees; roll call votes were recorded in favor and the meeting moved into non-public at approximately 2:20 p.m.

The commission confirmed its next meeting for April 17, 2024. No public comments were offered during the meeting’s public comment period.