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.
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.
ReplyDeleteSo 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.
ReplyDeleteActually, 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.
ReplyDeletePlease, 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.
ReplyDeleteHe 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.
ReplyDeleteA 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.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing, should i get Donald Trump in Atkinson to do the selectman's job? I'm sure he would do the "your fired" speech.
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeletePolice 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.
ReplyDeleteSomeone 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.