Yes, NH Police Standards and Training Council issued Chief Consentino a formal letter of reprimand, at their March 25, 2008 meeting. The Reprimand was issued for "failure to use due diligence in ensuring that proper documentation existed when he certified to the council that the documentation of training did exist"
That is interesting enough but the minutes of the Police Standards and Training Council Meeting go even further...
"We further require that he comply wih the plan that he has outlined to the Council orally in his testimony to the Council in terms of the remedial steps that he is going to carry out going forward, and we ask that Police Standards and Training Council staff checks in with him after one year to confirm that that has happened."
In this blog's opinion, this raises some serious questions, such as;
1.) What was Mr. Consentino's remedial plan?
2.) What happened to the documentation between when Mr. Consentio told the Council he had the documents and when they asked to see them?
3.) Who certified his training? Does he certify himself?
4.) What protection does the public have against officers without the proper training?
5.) Does Mr. Consentino actually HAVe the required training? Or the training to carry a gun?
We are sure there are others, but you will let us know what is important to you.
So Much for "Nothing was wrong" and "all this is unfounded allegations", It would appear that a number of residents complaints over the past few years about a lack of training, were true, and the Town of Atkinson deserves better.
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
10 comments:
I am not taking sides but: All NH residents are allowed to carry guns either openly or concealed ( with a background check). You don't need any type of "proper" training except the back ground check.
So as a citizen he can carry a weapon almost anywhere in the State. As a police officer I do not know the answer to this.
I think you covered all the important questions regarding this matter. The sad thing is that the reprimand is most likely the worst punishment he will receive so long as he takes care of all the proper training and documentation is complete within the one year. i would like to know what the complaints were regarding the chief.
Actually, according to NH Police Standards and Training Council, any officer who carries any type of weapon(and this may include a taser, or other non-lethal weapon) MUST be certified to carry that weapon. Especially when the weapon is less than a foot from the related badge case both in plain view.
Please, who in government is going to challenge him on this? He's got the government by the shorthairs, no one is going do anything about this, which is sad but true.
He could probably ride around in a tank without anyone in this government challenging him. Some citizen is going to have to the intestinal fortitude to stand up to him again...
If you think about it, police officers need to be held to a higher standard when it comes to firearms. They are far more likely than most to come into situations that require their use and I would damn sure hope they know how to use and properly aim the things.
A police officer who does not meet the minimum requirements for firearms training is a danger to himself and the public.
As far as I'm concerned, if an officer is not qualified to carry a gun, he's not a real officer and should not have law enforcement responsibilities.
All from what i have heard about The chief tells me the selectman are the one's to take action upon him. It is the selectman's job to make sure he does the right thing, and if he does not then he should be removed as police chief. Simple. But for some reason they hide from doing that.
Another thing, should i get Donald Trump in Atkinson to do the selectman's job? I'm sure he would do the "your fired" speech.
One of the problems with just this type of situation in NH is that the entire certification of officers system in this state is built upon trust, and the presumption that the officer has honor, integrity, honesty, and that when he or she states that they have taken certain trainings, they have.
The problem begins when you have a corrupt officer, or one who lacks the basic honesty, and integrity, and his or her word can no longer be trusted.
It is at that point that, in NH, it falls to the selectmen, city council, or other governing body to discipline, suspend or fire the officer.
If the governing body fails to do their duty, then it becomes extremely difficult to enforce the law.
Dittos to Dan.
Police officers are held to a higher standard when they are on duty. When they are off duty is s different matter. However, with the exception of Washington DC and Chicago, most if not all other police officers are required to carry off duty.
The simple fact is that there are a set of requirements that must be met by state law. The Chief has not met those requirements yet he still carries wuth his badge flashing.
Well, the NHPSTC is useless. Imagine giving the town a year to comply with police training. The government in NH is truly the worst in the nation.
Someone ought to request a RTK letter from the town outlining Consentino's qualifications, specifically if he has the right to carry on duty. If he's carrying a weapon illegally, he should be locked up.
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