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President of the Keene Police Officers Association Named to Governor Lynch Creates NH Crime Commission CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today issued an Executive Order creating the Governor's New Hampshire Crime Commission to examine ways to strengthen public safety across the state. "New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the nation. We must continue to work together to keep it that way, and to ensure that all of our citizens and our visitors feel safe and secure in our communities," Gov. Lynch said. The Commission is comprised of lawmakers, prosecutors, members of law enforcement, community and business leaders, and victims' advocates. Attorney General Kelly Ayotte will chair the commission. "Crime is an issue that affects the lives of all our citizens and every aspect of our state: from families living in our big cities and small towns to business owners working to attract customers and visitors to New Hampshire," Gov. Lynch said. "We all have a role in keeping our communities safe. As a state, we must ensure that our laws and policies are as effective as possible in preventing crime; that communities and state agencies are communicating and cooperating; and that we are giving our men and women on the front lines the tools they need to better allow them to do their jobs." Gov. Lynch directed members of the Commission to review existing laws, assess current crime prevention efforts, look at intelligence gathering and sharing and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of New Hampshire's resources used to combat crime and the causes of it. Gov. Lynch also directed the Commission to recommend ways state and local agencies can work with each other - and with neighboring states - to reduce crime and keep our citizens safe. In the aftermath of the murder of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs, Gov. Lynch met with state and local law enforcement officers, elected officials and community advocates, to discuss what steps were needed to improve crime prevention. In addition to providing an immediate surge of resources to the City of Manchester, it was agreed the state should develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to keep New Hampshire one of the safest states in the nation. As a result of those discussions, Gov. Lynch created the New Hampshire Commission on Crime. "The security our citizens feel in their communities is a part of New Hampshire's special quality of life. Together, we will protect it," Gov. Lynch said. The members of the Commission are: Kelly Ayotte - Attorney General
JONATHAN STEWART: A TRUE COMMUNITY POLICEMAN
"We want to do a lot with the community," Stewart said. "Giving back keeps you in touch, it makes the community familiar with us. We also get more information. We have to serve and protect, and we want to use all our options." This community service takes many forms. Last year, the KPOA formed the Community Service Initiative, or CSI for short. "Our goal is to provide community service involvement through both traditional and more creative volunteer agencies, and to encourage and facilitate that involvement amongst others," the organization wrote at the time. "This initiative will create an environment in which we can learn from each other and at the same time provide increased public safety awareness and reduce crime within the city of Keene." On Feb. 4, for instance, during the annual ice festival, Keene police will be at the E.F. Lane Hotel on Main Street, offering parents a chance to record their children's fingerprints. "Now that we have this software, other departments can benefit," Stewart said. "On the 18th we'll be in Hillsborough at a similar event." The KPOA has also joined with Keene's Friends of the Library to promote literacy among youth, in this case the "Curious George" reading program, in which young children receive prizes upon the completion of each "Curious George" book. While some police officers have served in other public capacities like the school board, Stewart said that would take up too much time right now. "I did inquire about the state representative's seat after Stephanie Sinclair stepped down," he said, "but with the time constraints I couldn't be there for my kids. I may run for state rep. later on." It is also necessary to bring the community together to face down problems, Stewart said. "Heroin is on the rise in New Hampshire," he said. "When you have heroin come in, it starts a domino effect. Gangs come in, and once they're solidified, they're part of the community. But luckily, community organizations are solidified, too, and we're all working to keep that influence out." To that end, Stewart is a leader in the Keene DARE program, speaking to local civic organizations about the pernicious effects of drug and alcohol abuse. Stewart said the community really pulled together during last October's floods. "I was ankle-deep in water directing traffic," Stewart said. "I was very impressed with the way the city handled that, and the police department really came through. We had guys who were off-duty for five hours before coming back on, and we had guys taking extra shifts so others could go home and get some sleep. I also have to give credit to the Department of Public Works and the fire department. Everyone put in long hours to get the job done. "I'm glad it's over," he added, "but it really shows how vulnerable we are."
THE KEENE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THEY HAVE JOINED THE KEENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The members of the Keene Police Officers Association take great pride in being active members of the Keene Community. Through the Association's Community Service Initiative we provide our support and sponsorship of numerous school activities, community events, and local charities. We are constantly seeking ways to create a better relationship between the police and the community. Joining the Keene Chamber of Commerce is just one more opportunity for the Association to create that relationship. According to John Stewart, President of the Association, "Joining the Keene Chamber of Commerce has been a goal of the Association for a number of years. Its only through the hard work and dedication of the membership that we have finally reached our goal. We are excited and proud to finally be members of the Keene Chamber of Commerce.
PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD For Immediate Release Contact: March 23, 2005 Keene, NH – The Keene Police Officers Association, as part of their Community Service Initiative, today announced it has teamed with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Established in 2003, the AWARD was created by President George W. Bush to give Presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service, measured by the number of service hours performed over 12-months. The Keene Police Officers Association is one of thousands of organizations that have joined forces to deliver the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and honor the volunteers who strengthen our Nation. As a Certifying Organization for the AWARD, the Keene Police Officers Association is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the AWARD. “We are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD,” said Officer John Stewart – President of the Officers Association. “The Keene Police Officers Association volunteers are role models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as a community and as a Nation. The AWARD is our way of thanking these volunteers and inspiring everyone in our community to make volunteering a central part of their lives.” “Even if you’ve never volunteered before, the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD is within your reach,” Officer Stewart said. “There are so many ways to contribute, and every volunteer hour makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others. We encourage everyone to get involved and to bring along your family, friends and neighbors. Together, we can strengthen our community – one hour at a time.” The AWARD is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group convened by President George W. Bush to help foster and encourage a culture of volunteer service and civic participation among Americans. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council is composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering. For more information about volunteering with the Keene Police Officers Association’s Community Service Initiative, please contact us via our web site located at www.kpoa.net”. Click on the “contact us” button on the left of the screen or call (603) 357-9813 Ext. 189. For more information on the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE For years the Keene Police Officers Assocaition has been making charitable contributions in the manner of donating just money to local organizations throughout Cheshire County. We are now taking that charitable contributions one step further. We still plan on making monetary donation to local organizations, but now we will also be providing some fun, educational and safety programs as well. The Community Service Initiative seeks to create a partnership among parents, youth and the community to strengthen and empower individuals, families, and neighborhoods to foster the optimal development of children, youth, and adults. Our goal is to provide community service involvement through both traditional and more creative volunteer agencies, and to encourage and facilitate that involvement amongst others. This initiative will create an environment in which we can learn from each other and at the same time provide an increase public safety awareness and reduce crime within the City of Keene. The Community Service Initiative is not meant to take away from any community serivce program currently in existence. The initiative will support the continuation of those programs as well as supporting the creation of new programs and services that promote a healthy safe community by fostering the unique potential of all individuals. The uniqueness of the Community Service Initiative is that it allows for citizens to provide input on what they wish to see as community service. Its the "people's initiative." Our first line of business is to raise funds to support this initiative. We are hosting a Comedy hypnotist to come to Keene on Friday - March 4, 2005. The show will be at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel from 8:00PM - 11:00PM. There will be a cash bar opened to those who wish to patronize the bar. The show is approximately 2 hours long and the first 30 minutes will be to provide a community service by offering to smokers who wish to stop smoking or continue their new years resolution to stop smoking a chance to do so by hypnosis. If your interested in tickets or more information on the Community Service Initiative, please email the KPOA by clicking on "Contact us" button located on the home page. You will be transferred to another page of the site that has a form you can fill out to contact us. On behalf of the entire membership of the KPOA, we thank you and we look forward to serving you.
10TH ANNUAL NORTHEAST LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPO Free annual event for the general public, consisting of over 75 federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies and affiliates throughout New England and Canada, including medical, fire and military agencies. Shown will be static displays and demonstrations of personnel and equipment. Read More...
PORTSMOUTH POLICE PATROLMAN'S UNION BASHES BENSON FOR HIS ATTACK ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE KEENE POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION. Portsmouth Herald PORTSMOUTH - Portsmouth Police Officer Tim Cashman, speaking on behalf of about 50 Portsmouth police officers, called Gov. Craig Benson "a liar" on Monday and asked all New Hampshire voters, Democrat and Republican, to review Benson’s record before voting in November. Read More...
SOMEONE NEEDS TO ASK WHY To The Sentinel: I am appalled at the behavior of Keene's city government leaders in regard to how they are handling negotiations with the police union. There is something wrong with the city of Keene if the police need to go to the public for support. Read More...
KEENE POLICE UNION'S ENDORSEMENT OF JOHN LYNCH STRIKES A NERVE IN THE BENSON CAMP... Benson deflects police union criticism Gov. Craig R. Benson and his staff said Monday he did not propose using earnings from police retirement accounts for other purposes last year, as some critics have charged. "It's unfortunate if they are still saying that, but it just isn't true," press secretary Kevin H Smith said. Read More...
WHY WON'T THE CITY NEGOTIATE? To The Sentinel: On behalf of everyone who contacted us, expressing their support in our efforts to get Keene's city administration to begin contract negotiations with us, we thank you. Unfortunately, we are no further ahead than we were before. Our last communication with the city was July 29, when we offered this counterproposal: "... Regarding ground rules for (Keene Police Officer's Association, or KPOA) negotiations: ... I know that we are both anxious to begin the real work of negotiating; however, it is the goal of the KPOA to assure that the process is documented in the most accurate fashion possible. Read More...
KEENE POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION ENDORSE JOHN LYNCH The Keene Police Officer's Association recently had the opportunity to speak to John Lynch about issues related to Law Enforcement and labor. Based on what they have heard have voted to endorse John Lynch in his run for Governor. Officer John Stewart, President of the Keene Police Officer's Association stated, "the law enforcement profession was built on three (3) fundamental principles; honesty, integrity and respect. Just as in the law enforcement profession, the Governor's Office should work to maintain those same three principles. Over the last two years those fundamental principles have not been adhered to by the Governor's office. John Lynch will bring the honesty, integrity and respect back to the corner office." Read More...
OFFICER RIGHTS SEMINAR – DEADLY FORCE ENCOUNTERS The Nashua Police Patrolman's Association will be sponsoring a seminar on Police Officer rights following deadly force encounters. Speakers will include labor and criminal law attorneys who have experience in advising officers who have been involved in deadly force encounters, an officer who has been involved in several deadly force encounters, and a use of force expert. Read More...
Negotiations for a new contract with the Keene Police Officer's Association appear to have fallen apart before they've even started. At issue is the union's request that negotiations be tape-recorded — a break from historical practice. Union officials say the tapes will ensure a clear record of what is discussed in negotiations. In the past, they say, disagreements have developed about what's been said, and some of those cases wound up in front of the state's Public Employees Labor Relations Board. Read More...
President George W. Bush signed H.R. 218, the "Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act," into law this morning at the White House. The bill became effective immediately upon the President's signature. Now, qualified active and retired law enforcement officers are allowed to carry their firearm while off-duty for the protection of themselves, their families and our nation's communities. Read More...
On November 25, 2003, the "Hometown Heroes Act" passed Congress and was sent to the President for his signature. This necessary expansion of the Department of Justice's Public Safety Officers Benefit Program (PSOB) will extend coverage to include those officers who suffer debilitating or fatal heart attacks or strokes while on, or related to, active duty or training work. Read More...
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Keene – If there is anyone who believes in police-community communication, it is Jonathan Stewart, head of the Keene Police Officers' Association (KPOA).
