Laconia Police Commission hears grants, staffing and crime statistics; approves minutes and moves to non-public session

The Laconia Police Commission on March 27 heard a series of operational updates from Chief Matthew Canfield on grant applications, equipment purchases, staffing and crime statistics, accepted the March 6 meeting minutes and voted to enter a non-public session to discuss personnel matters.

Chief Matthew Canfield told commissioners the department reapplied for grant funding through U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s and Rep. Chris Pappas’ offices to complete a storage building behind the police station, at the current impound lot, to store equipment now kept outdoors. "Once we secure the funding for it, it would go out to bid," he said. He also said the department received an $11,000 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant to purchase ballistic-rated helmets "so each officer will have a ballistic-rated helmet assigned to them." The department completed…