Laconia Police Commission reviews monthly activity, new real‑time crime center and community programs

At a 2025 meeting of the Laconia Police Commission, commissioners heard monthly activity reports, updates on equipment and facilities, and plans for community outreach programs, and they approved the Sept. 24 meeting minutes.

The reports matter because they summarize recent public‑safety workload, staffing status and investments—information the commission uses to set priorities and monitor department performance.

Chief Steve Canfield reported that calls for service in September rose 9.91% from the prior period, totaling 3,090. Officers conducted 283 park “walk and talks,” handled 809 extra‑patrol requests (an increase the report described as 154%), and opened 449 criminal investigations, clearing 208 by arrest; 117 of those were physical‑custody arrests. The department recorded two DWI arrests, took 23 people into custody for intoxication, responded to 32 domestic‑disturbance calls and 88 other disturbance complaints, investigated five suicidal subjects and 14 alleged violations of restraining orders. Volunteers in the victim services unit donated eight hours in September.

The Criminal Investigations Unit was assigned seven new cases and logged multiple investigative actions: eight follow‑ups on earlier matters, 19 felony arrests or indictments, initiation of seven felony charges, one misdemeanor arrest and related charges, 15 search warrants, 21 sex‑offender registration checks, two computer‑related cyber tips, two cell‑phone extractions and two polygraph exams. CIU staff provided roughly 20 hours of patrol support, 42 hours of training time and four community presentations; staff also handled 58 body‑worn‑camera redactions.

Traffic and enforcement numbers showed 48 motor‑vehicle accidents in September, 15 of them with injury. Officers made 666 motor‑vehicle stops, issued 35 motor‑vehicle summonses, 516 written warnings and four parking tickets. On the budget front, the department reported it is 23.08% of the way through the fiscal year and that spending is on track.

Support Division Chief Penfield said the department is nearly finished converting a conference room into a real‑time crime center; remaining work includes electrical work and carpet follow‑up with the contractor. Penfield said cruisers have been ordered and that the department expects delivery and outfitting in the coming weeks. On vehicle procurement, Penfield said, “The new pickup is going to be an F‑250, a heavier truck so it can pull the emergency response trailer better,” and it will be equipped with a plow to clear the department driveway when public‑works resources are not available.

On staffing, the department remains down four sworn positions following a recent retirement. Chief Canfield said one new hire will start Nov. 3 to fill one vacancy and that three additional candidates are in the hiring pipeline (one scheduled for an oral board and two scheduled for written and physical‑ability tests). Canfield described it as hopeful those candidates will meet required standards and join the department soon.

Community programs and outreach were also discussed. Operations staff said Lieutenant Noyce led planning for the city’s Pumpkin Fest that was scheduled for the following day. The department will run a citizen police academy starting in January at the Taylor community; the program will be about 10 weeks long and the commission will be invited to an early session. The department is hosting a Taylor community tour of the station on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m., including a pizza lunch for visitors. A planned National Guard Black Hawk helicopter flyover for Red Ribbon Week was canceled because of the federal government shutdown.

The department reported receipt of a thank‑you letter from Attorney Strelson and a message of thanks from the state Attorney General’s office recognizing officers’ testimony in a recent homicide trial. The Belmont Police Department also sent thanks for Laconia officers covering patrol shifts so Belmont officers could attend funeral services for a long‑time fire chief.

The department reported survey performance for a public messaging platform operated through SpyderTech: 1,665 messages were sent in September (down about 10.8% from summer levels) and the survey completion rate rose about 2.2 percentage points to 22.79%. “A completion rate over 20% is really phenomenal,” Chief Canfield said.

Commission business included a motion by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Whitlam, to accept the Sept. 24 meeting minutes; the motion passed unanimously. The commission confirmed its next meeting for the 19th at 2 p.m. A motion to adjourn by Commissioner Mello, seconded by Commissioner Boyle, passed unanimously and the meeting ended with the commission adjourning at 2:15 p.m.

Smaller items mentioned without formal action included promotions/retirements (none reported at this meeting), the city’s leadership training event at the Opera House, and continued recruitment efforts to restore sworn staffing levels.