MADISON POLICE DEPARTMENT

2009 TOWN REPORT

The Madison Police Department has had another busy and productive year. Although the numbers of incidents are down approximately 15.9%, some of the individual cases have increased in complexity and intensity. Sgt. Colby, Ofc. Hayford and I have each been assaulted on duty this year.

Officer O’Meara and I responded to a report of Domestic Violence involving a firearm around 8:00 A.M. on a Sunday morning. A woman allegedly woke her boyfriend up by pointing a loaded handgun at him and demanding that he provide her with alcohol. She then barricaded herself in the residence refusing to come out. This case presented many challenges. There were competency and treatment issues which required repeat interviews as well as the usual concerns associated with the collection, preservation and documentation of evidence. The department had approximately 40 man hours involved in the case by the time the defendant was arraigned the following Monday, yet the case only yielded a single Call for Service Number.

We have been successful in making arrests in several burglaries and major thefts in town. We have conducted many interviews and assisted with the preparation and execution of Search Warrants in Tamworth, Madison, Rochester and Farmington. Sgt. Colby wrote his first search warrant for DNA in one of these cases with the assistance of the Conway Police Department and New Hampshire State Police. I am confident that this new skill will provide a very useful tool in future cases.

Ofc. Hayford responded to a report of suspicious activity on Forrest Pines Rd. involving two males in a car asking a resident for water. A discarded hypodermic needle was recovered in close contact to the vehicle after it pulled away. One of the occupants was arrested a short while later and admitted that he and his companion were intending to use the water to inject themselves with heroin. I am happy that the resident had the presence of mind to call police without delay which afforded us the opportunity to do our job. We were able to disrupt their activity and recover the needle before a child stumbled across it.

On a more positive note:

Starting Point is a non-profit organization that provides services for victims of domestic and sexual violence. They presented 2009 Bridge Builder awards to three Law Enforcement Officers in Carroll County for: “recognition of his/her commitment in action and in words to building bridges for victims of sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking”. I am proud to report that two of those three officers, Ofc. Hayford and O’Meara are Madison Police Officers.

The department received $5,000.00 in grant funding for the purchase of in-car video systems. It is my intention to implement all new vehicles with this capability as they assist me in providing the highest possible accountability to the community and save time and money in court. We have already seen benefits.

Our Patrol Officers continue to participate in the after school program at Madison Elementary School on a weekly basis. I am happy to report that I have received positive feedback on their involvement.

All members of the department continue to donate time to the town with no monetary compensation.

We are grateful for the support that you have given us and acknowledge and appreciate the fact that our success is 100% dependant upon it.

* Crime related incidents are violation and misdemeanor level offenses

Chief James Mullen

Madison Police Department