HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-19-PMPC-min�ws MORN/
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APRIL 19
� FX I N 6
Mark J. Corr TEL: (781) 862 -1212
Chief of Police FAX: (781) 863-1291
Police Manual Policy Committee
Meeting Minutes —April 19, 2011
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
William Hays Captain Joseph O'Leary, Lexington
Gerald McLeod Sgt. Paul Callahan
Sgt. Christopher Barry
1. Meeting called at 4:04 p.m.
2. Minutes for February 1, 2011 accepted. 4 -0
3. Open Comments: None.
4. Dr. Flynn's notes for changes submitted in her absence will be read aloud for Committee
(excluding spelling and grammar changes).
5. Policies were reviewed. Summary of significant comments.
17A Budget and Accounting
- Through policy, Department is described with multiple terms (agency, department,
police department). Pick one, and use consistently. Will probably be Department.
-Page 2, subsection B. Renumber 2a and make it a separate section. Delete 2b. Also
clarify that the commander of each division shall be prepared to submit budget and
program improvement recommendations to the Chief of Police before the end of
September each year.
-Page 3, Petty Cash. The Officer Manager will maintain a petty cash account of $300.
At any given time, cash and receipts will equal $300. As needed, receipts will be
submitted to the Comptroller's Office for reimbursement to the petty cash account. The
Traffic Office will keep $100 cash (in small bills) to make change for individuals paying
parking tickets.
Page 3, Confidential Funds. Correct the word "dispersement." Also, "confidential
funds" is misleading. This entire section should be rewritten to describe the Law
Enforcement Trust Account, the legal basis for this account, and how the money can be
spent. Separately, the Federal Asset Seizure account should also be explained. The Cash
fund should be outlined as to why the money is necessary and will not exceed $500
without written approval from the Chief of Police.
1575 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
Page 4. Records Office. Entire section is unclear and needs to be rewritten.
Page 4. Firearms Licensing. Section is unclear and needs to identify account used.
Page 4. Expand on why and how a credit card is used, consistent with the Town
guidelines.
33A Training and Career Development
Page 2, A. 1. Amend text: "The Captain of Administration shall �'o"
Page 3, 3. Term "agency" is being used when "Department" should be used.
Page 4. Employee Training Records. Clarify language that Captain of Administration
and Office Manager shall document and file the training records. It is important to
require annual certifications generated by Department to be subject to an administrative
review.
Page 5. Voluntary training. What are the criteria for what type of training is allowed?
Who approves the training? How is it controlled given potential budgetary restrictions?
Page 7, section 2 b i. Add "Commonwealth's" before Municipal Police Training
Committee.
Page 8, last paragraph #3. Entire paragraph has miss spelled words, and difficult to read.
Page 10, top of page. Explain in more detail "roll call" training. What types of material
is reviewed.
Page 10 — and through document. References to other policies should include policy
number.
Page 12. Add references to defensive driving training.
Page 17, top sentence. Clarify need for using and practicing "perishable" skills.
41G Police Response to Calls
Opening Page; consider replacing "severity" with the word gravity.
Page 2, B 1 b. Clarify who is responsible for defining gravity of call and how
Department will respond.
Page 5, top of page. Delete reference to escorting bank deposits.
Page 5, last sentence. Sentence unclear on require to adhere to the directives of a
supervisor.
42B Follow -up Investigations
Document — there is no reference to the Detective Bureau Commander's obligation to
report to anyone. It is important to tie in this job responsibility to the Chief of Police.
Page 3. Multiple terms are used to describe the Detective Bureau commander. Pick one
title and use it through policy manual.
Page 3, 6b. "Assess" should be access.
Page 4, 7. Suspending an Investigation, not "and ".
Page 5. Reference to Records Management policy should include policy number. See
other pages as well.
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Page 7, item 3 on Polygraphs. This guideline is needed for accreditation purposes but
should state that any use of polygraph exams will be done in consultation with the
District Attorney's Office and by trained operators. The Lexington PD will not be
training an employee in this skill so delete 3 b.
44A School Resource Officers
Page 3, item 6. Add, "programs and services aimed at the prevention theft, vandalism
and other property crimes."
82C Laptop Computer Usage
No Issues.
72A Booking Procedures
Page 2. Clarify for reader difference between a detainee and an arrestee. Add to
definitions.
Page 2, Item A -2. This entire section is duplicitous of page 7, iii. This definition section
should be abbreviated so as not to duplicate that text word for word.
Page 10, top of page. Policy must make clear where a body cavity search will be
conducted (i.e. medical facility ?).
Page 11, item 8 a. Explain what a III check is.
Page 12, Suicide Risk. As written this puts heavy burden on officer to diagnose a suicide
risk. Consider rewording to discuss behaviors that "a reasonable person" would identify
as an attempt to self inflict "serious bodily injury."
Page 12. Fingerprinting. Policy should not say print "in accordance with guidelines
posted in the booking room." This policy should define the guidelines that will be posted
in the booking room.
Page 13, Medical Screening. Identify where in policy you are sending reader on suicide
risk screening.
Page 15. Add policy numbers to other Department policies being referenced.
Page 16. Identify what a BOP is.
Page 16. Identify the Department's procedures for contacting a Court appointed Bail
Commissioner.
6. 61 Traffic Safety and 63A Traffic Direction and Control tabled until next meeting.
7. Next Meeting. May 24, 2011, Lexington Police Station.
8. Adjourn 6:05 p.m.
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