HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-25-PMPC-min
Town of Lexington
Police Department
1575 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
Mark J. Corr TEL: (781) 862-1212
Chief of Police FAX: (781) 863-1291
Police Manual Policy Committee
Meeting Minutes – May 25, 2010
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lexington Police Guard Room
In Attendance: Chief Mark Corr (Chair) Peter Kelley, Selectman Liaison
Dr. Edith Flynn Sgt. Cleveland Coats, MSP
William Hays Captain Joseph O’Leary, Lexington
Gerald McLeod Sgt. John Mazerall, Lexington
1.Meeting called at 4:20 p.m.
2.Effective July 1, public posting of this meeting will include Agenda. The format will be:
Introduction of meeting material
Review and acceptance of minutes
Review of polices with each policy listed in the agenda
Any related business/questions
Setting next meeting date
3.If Chief Corr is not available as Chair, Dr. Edith Flynn will substitute. (6-0 vote).
4.Minutes, subject to amendment, accepted. (6-0 vote)
5.Many policies generated discussion and minor grammar mistakes noted. The minutes
address specific recommended changes to each policy on the agenda.
41E Domestic Violence
th
Page 7, section D-4. Committee suggested more clarification of “4 Amendment”
requirements.
Page 3, section D-7. The word “antique” must be followed by the word “firearm.”
Page 6, section D-1-a. Clarify “who” is in lawful control of premise for permitting
police officers to enter during a domestic violence situation.
Page 22, top. “It is important to be aware of, and deter, any biases.” Cross out as
shown.
1575 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
Page 26, section K-4. Identify what an officer can do if he or she is unable to
lawfully seize firearms that may be present at a domestic.
Page 2, bullet one. “…arrest and prosecution as a preferred” response; committee
suggested adding ‘when probable cause exists that a crime has occurred.’
41F Burglar, Hold-up or Other Alarms for Police Service.
No comments.
73A Testifying in Court
Add cites to policy
12A Command Authority, Succession and Protocol
Page 2. Group discussed unlawful versus unjust orders. No changes recommended.
Page 2, section II-A. It was suggested that the Chief’s “extended absence” be defined
better.
16A Special Police Officers – pulled from discussion due to anticipated editing
changes that will significantly change policy.
22C Police ID’s
No comments.
24A through F Union Contracts
The intent is to have all union contracts in one spot for Department review. These six
policy headers will be consolidated into one.
25A Grievance Procedures
Exempt, non union, and non represented employees are not covered by policy.
Additional information should be added to address or identify these positions.
41J Interviewing Victims and Witnesses
IV-A. Use of interpreters. Add procedures for using interpreters for language and
hearing impaired. Reference, as needed, law for assisting hearing impaired.
Page 4, B-6. Clarify that a witness has a voluntary choice coming to the police
station for an interview.
41K Interrogating Detainees and Arrestees
Within policy, clarify where one officer or two are required for the interrogation.
Page 2 of 3
41L Stop and Frisk and Threshold Inquiries
Page 3. A.2.1.i. A grammatical/deletion error needs to be fixed. Should say “has
committed a crime.”
Page 3 – Grounds for making a stop. Need to add language that an officer must
be able to articulate the reasonable grounds that a threshold inquiry or Stop &
Frisk occurs.
Page 9, E-3. Same as point 2 above.
41-O Handling the Mentally Ill
Add a definition for Paranoia and add expanded discussion in “Common Mental
Disorders” section.
Page 6-7, Involuntary Examinations. Add the Lexington Police policy that police
officers signing section 12 orders will be a measure of last resort.
41-P Dealing with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons
No comments.
42L Breaking and Entering
No comments.
72C Protective Custody
Add a section that identifies what officers can do if a person is impaired, but there
is no evidence of alcohol consumption.
6.Next meeting: July 6, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. @ police station guard room.
7.Adjourn at 6:00 p.m.
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