Rochester Police Commission accepts resignation, rescinds outdated training policy and swears in new recruit

The Rochester Police Commission accepted the resignation of Officer Adam Granitowski, rescinded an outdated training policy tied to a retired simulator, and swore in new recruit Brennan Garland at a meeting that included monthly operational and administrative reports.

Commissioner Donna Bogan, Commissioner LaRochelle and Commissioner Stevens voted in favor of the motions by roll call; individual movers and seconders were not identified on the record. The commission also completed a first reading of a promotional-process policy and approved entry to a nonpublic session under RSA 91-a:3 to discuss personnel and legal matters.

Why it matters: The actions affect department staffing and training policy. The removal of the FAAC training policy follows donation of the department’s simulator to a local high school and reflects a change in available training equipment; purchases reported in the administrative update — notably 15 automated external defibrillators for frontline patrol cars — affect emergency response capabilities.

Swearing-in and recognitions

The commission conducted a ceremonial oath of office for recruit Brennan Garland. Garland introduced himself during the oath, saying, "I, Brennan Garland, do solemnly swear ..." Commission members then presented a badge and recognized two officers — John Gantert and Brandon Kimbrough — for 20 years of service to the department. The record shows both Gantert and Kimbrough were hired on March 27, 2005.

Personnel motions and votes

The commission voted to accept meeting minutes and later voted to accept Officer Adam Granitowski’s resignation “with regrets.” Roll-call votes for those motions recorded Commissioner Donna Bogan, Commissioner LaRochelle and Commissioner Stevens as voting yes. The meeting record does not identify the maker or seconder of those motions by name on the audio transcript.

Policy actions

Commissioners held a first reading of policy update 34.10.3 on the department’s promotional process; the motion to read the policy by title passed by roll call (Bogan, LaRochelle, Stevens recorded as yes). On a separate motion, the commission voted to rescind Policy and Archives 33.5.1, the training policy tied to the FAAC driving and use-of-force simulator, after commissioners were told the unit had become outdated and was donated to the criminal-justice program at Spaulding High School. The rescission passed by roll call (Bogan, LaRochelle, Stevens recorded as yes).

Administrative and operations reports

Staff reported the patrol division responded to 2,974 calls in the reporting period and produced 404 police reports. Crash investigations and motor-vehicle enforcement were described as consistent with recent years; year-to-date crash counts were noted as 235 versus 233 in the same period last year.

On the purchasing side, administrators said the department bought 15 AEDs for frontline patrol cars through a state contract; the presenter said each unit cost "a little over a thousand dollars" with roughly a 50% savings versus retail. The presenter said the AEDs match models used by the fire department to preserve equipment familiarity across emergency responders.

Hiring and training

Staff reported ongoing hiring activity: the department has candidates in background checks and sought to fill multiple full-time openings; the presenter reported "four full-time openings" at the time the report was prepared, a figure that prompted brief clarification on the record. Several officers were noted as attending or completing training courses, and new recruits were scheduled for the state academy in May.

Nonpublic session and follow-up

The commission voted to enter nonpublic session pursuant to RSA 91-a:3 (personnel and legal). After returning, a motion to accept evaluations that had been brought before the commission in nonpublic passed by roll call (Bogan, LaRochelle, Stevens recorded as yes). The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn approved by voice vote.

What was not decided or specified

The audio record does not tie some motions to named movers or seconders. Where figures were discussed — for example, the department’s count of full-time vacancies — commissioners asked clarifying questions but did not finalize staffing-count changes at this meeting. The file of policy texts and any redline language for the promotional-policy update was not placed on the public record in the audio transcript; the promotional-policy item was recorded as a first reading only.

Ending

Commissioners scheduled no final votes on ordinance-level items at this meeting. Several routine administrative matters — monthly reports, staffing updates, equipment purchases and recognition of long-serving officers — comprised the substantive portion of the session.