At the request of some readers of the blog we have posted the Association By-Laws so you can see for yourself what they are and you can make a determination for yourself whether anything was done inappropriately.
WINCHESTER POLICE ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
Name
The name of this organization shall be known as The Winchester Police Association.
ARTICLE 2
Mission
The mission of the Winchester Police Association shall be to promote the well being and safety
of the membership in the work place as well as the public sector. In its endeavors, the Association attempts to foster community spirit and pride.
of the membership in the work place as well as the public sector. In its endeavors, the Association attempts to foster community spirit and pride.
ARTICLE 3
Membership
Membership in the Winchester Police Association shall be granted to all sworn police officers, as well as other full-time employees of the Winchester Police Department upon 1-year probationary period coinciding with the respective employees date of hire. Annual dues of $25 will be collected from each member by January of each year. Dues will include a yearly membership with the NH Police Association.
Any member of the Winchester Police Association who retires from the Winchester Police Department with a minimum of 10 years of service to the department, or who suffers a job related disability regardless of his/her length of service, becomes a member for life and all
annual dues are waived.
ARTICLE 4
Meetings
Meetings of the Association shall be called at the discretion of the President when needed.
ARTICLE 5
Officers, Nominations and Elections
Section 1: The officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice .President and
Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2: Nomination for officers of the Association can be made at any scheduled meeting.
Section 3: Persons nominated for any of the Officer positions must be fall-tune employees of the
Winchester Police Department.
Section 4: Elections of any Officer position shall be done by secret ballot vote. All members of the Winchester Police Department who attend meetings have voting power.
Section 5: All elected Officers of the Winchester Police Association have unlimited term
lengths.
ARTICLE 6
Duties of Officers
Section 1: The President of the Association shall preside at all scheduled meetings. He/She is in
charge of all daily functions of the Association.
Section 2: The Vice President of the Association shall act as designee in the absence of the
President.
Section 3: The Secretary/Treasurer of the Association shall be responsible for all Association
correspondence, billings and receipt and deposit of all Associations Funds. The Secretary will
also be responsible for maintaining minutes of the meetings and will assign a designee in his/her
absence.
ARTICLE 7
Conflict of Interest
1. Each elected officer of the Winchester Police Association, prior to taking charge of his/her respective office, shall submit in writing a list of all businesses or other organizations of which he/she is an officer, director, trustee, member, owner (either sole proprietor or partner), shareholder, employee or agent, with which the Association has, or might reasonably in the future enter into, a relationship or a Transaction in which the officers would have conflicting interests. The Chief of Police shall become familiar with the statements of all officers in order to guide their conduct should a conflict arise.
2. At such time as any matter comes before the Association in such a way as to give rise to a conflict of interest, the affected officer shall make known the potential conflict, whether disclosed by his/her written statement or not, and after answering any questions that might be asked him/her, shall withdraw from the meeting for so long as the matter shall continue under discussion. Should a matter be brought to a vote, neither the affected Officer nor any other officer with a pecuniary benefit transaction with the Association shall vote on it.
3.The Officers will comply with all the requirements of New Hampshire law where conflicts of interest are involved, included but not limited to the requirements of a thirds vote where the financial benefit to the Officer is between $500 and $5000 in a fiscal year, and to the requirement of a two-thirds vote and publication in the required newspaper where the financial benefits exceed $5000 in a fiscal year. The New Hampshire statutory requirements are incorporated into and made a part of this conflict policy.
ARTICLE 8
Dissolution Provision
Upon the dissolution of the Winchester Police Association all assets shall be distributed to the
Ellen Lambert Murphy Memorial (ELMM) Community Center of Winchester, NH, a non-profit
organization registered under the Internal Revenue code as 501 .C (3) status.
ARTICLE 9
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section I: Any member of the Association can spend up to $25,00 with the approval of three (3) other members within the organization. Receipts to justify the expenditure must be submitted to the treasurer. The President and Vice-President can spend up to $75.00 with no immediate approval needed from the organization. However, notification to the organization must be submitted in writing, either by memo or e-mail within 24 hours of said expenditure. Receipts'to justify the expenditure must be submitted to the treasurer.
Section 2: Any expenditure over the amounts listed above and under the above-described circumstances must require two-thirds vote by all membership for approval.
This Constitution may be amended, revised, or otherwise changed by a two-thirds vote of all members. This document shall act as an Official Document of the Winchester Police Association.
By-Laws for this Association shall be effective this 29th day of July 2005.
Signed by then President Theresa Sepe
Date 7/29/05
24 comments:
Can’t deny it – Chris Roberts had to right and abused his power in that association, no different than he does on the job. He had no authority to do what he did and now he’s making the town look like a bunch of idiots because for some reason the powers to be couldn’t tell the truth about the table even when asked. Why ever would that be? Is there something going on? Someone owes someone? If the selectmen and chief are that out of tune with reality and truth they don’t belong in the positions they hold and we shouldn’t have to keep paying for the privilege. Exactly what are they doing?
I don't get it, how does a cop get away with breaking laws and nothing gets done?
Good job...The arrogance comes across very clear.
Geez, it's nice to get the truth for a change. It's not just a table as a poster wrote - it's about integrity and truth. People who think like that don't quite get it themselves. Sometimes we all do things that are wrong but it's when you can't admit it that's a problem.
As I see it, officer Roberts, for reasons only known to him, perpetuated a scheme to dupe the public into thinking that the association, bought and paid for a table that now sits in our town hall. From what has been presented to us, the facts do not ring true. I can only imagine what the truth really is behind these shenanigans; but you can bet, there's a bigger story as to why this hoax was concocted. I don't know why our elected officials and police officers have to be so deceiving, do they really think we're all that dumb and that they can continue on with their unlawful ways?
What's stunning is that the Board of Selectmen seem to think that they have a legitimate claim to this donation. What is even more stunning is what would make supposed intelligent and law abiding elected officials continue to keep something that clearly doesn't belong to them? They were told by the President and Treasurer the table doens't belong to them and that the Vice President didn't have the authority to speak on behalf of them when he made the donation. Why didn't they just distance themselves from this and return the ill gotten table back to the association where it clearly belonged? According to the by-laws the ELMM center should be the beneficiary of this associations assets, not the Town of Winchester. Is this a kickback or something? Maybe for the LT's promotion Roberts got? What other logical explanation is there?
Ask Roberts where he was when he solicited this table or for that matter where he was when he solicited the other donations? Was he at the PD and on department time? You can bet he was. Anything to do with the WPA cannot be conducted on WPD time it is a direct conflict of interest and is theft of time. WPA functions are to be done on the officer's own time not on department time. Get it...got it...get it? hang in there folks,further undisputable documentation will be forthcoming showing Roberts and Phillips doing WPA functions on WPD time.
To those who think its just a few disgruntled former employees. Why do you think many large police departments have anonymous crime and drug tip lines? It's because of people like you that peolple are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation. The blogs are on target and eventually other dirty secrets will surface. Who knows, maybe other towns will follow suit. I hear tell you can see things more clearly when you don't have your head up your posterior backside. Maybe the people who don't see the problems with Winchester should seek the assistance of a proctologists to help them with their eyesight.
One thing is for certain and that is we wouldn't have known about this stuff if left to their decision. We would have been kept in the dark like usual.
Looks like a seedy character posing as a cop.
This is the guy bucking for the next police chief position? Good Luck Wincehster - you're gonna ned it.
Just like with the Nate Jette bike incident, where he takes home a bike for one of his kids that doesn’t belong to him. Now you have another cop giving away property that he doesn’t have a right to give away. Money and items donated to this association are donated for the benefit of the officers not for a bribe to town officials.
These people don’t seem to get when things don’t belong to them. They have a history of it.
This is just like with the bike incident, where once Nate Jette found out what he did was wrong, after he openly and publicly told people he took the thing and had to be told by others even when he couldn’t figure that out himself that it was wrong, you would think he would have had enough common sense to admit it and just said, you know, it really wasn’t the right thing to be teaching my kid or anyone else’s so I’m gonna do the right thing and return the bike and buy my kid one that he or she will proud of.
Now here you have Chris Roberts doing the same thing, only he’s lied and said the association agreed to this. There are letters that have been sent back and forth. I understand that one was by email which is the same as a registered letter. What’s the problem here?
Chris Roberts can’t admit that he has done something wrong when it’s clearly been pointed out to him? His ego is so big that he can’t help himself?
These guys think their only obligation is to themselves and the rules are there for them to break them. They use there badge and position to manipulate and control and intimidate and that’s wrong.
There are right ways and wrong ways of doing things and this was the wrong way. To make other officers who weren’t part of your scheme appear to be part of your scheme, when you know that what you did is wrong shows you have a lack of a concern for your fellow officers and their reputation, no conscience about righting a wrong, which is why you seem to have an inability to know right from wrong, and a seemingly OK attitude with using your badge to make things appear legitimate when they aren’t and you have a history of this too.
I hope the informer continues to rattle these cages so all the truth falls out
Black and white doesn't lie, which can not be said of those involved in this mess.To think that they went to this extreme just to cover up buying a table. I wonder where the money really came from and what the real cost was for it?
Chris Roberts has a history of abusing his power at his job and there are many people who are witness to that arrgoance and abuse so it doesn't suprise us. He shouldn't be allowed to do these things but for some reason he seems to get away with it. Most of us would never get away with pulling a stunt like this without a some consequence. What makes him different?
It's all in the letters the proof is there. Why did Roberts lie? Why did you lie Roberts?
There must be some kind of conspiracy going on here. Looking at this whole mess it seems to all boil down to these things.
At least 2 cops are fired around the same time as this letter is presented. Both never had problems before and both have no integrity issues and both are well liked.
Could it be that there were some problems going on behind the scenes that we don't know about?
Maybe these couple of cops were trying to stop wrongdoing?
Both of them let the selectmen know and informed them through this letter about something wrong because they both signed the letter.
Both got ignored by the selectmen, Why?
If there wasn't a conspiracy for injustice why didn't the selectmen call everyone for a meeting of the facts? By the sounds of it both Dan and Warren would have been more than willing.
So who wasn't willing?
Who didn't want this dirty laundry out in public and why wouldn't they want people to know the truth? What were they trying to cover up?
It doesn't make sense to me, does it make sense to anyone else?
One of these cops, Dan, was fired for writing a grievance letter in which he was pointing out inconsistencies in how the department was being run, never knowing what the rules were because they were always changing, unfair practices, policies that were ignored or were just inconsistent in how they were used depending on the name of the officer involved and favoritism and reward for acts not deserving.
Doesn't seem like a really good reason to fire anyone who otherwise had rave reviews does it?
Sounds like a conspiracy to me to keep the truth locked up.
The message is simple - Being part of this team means keep your mouth shut, sit in a corner and stay there until you are ready to do as I say.
Remember these are cops, people who carry guns, have the ability to violate people’s rights, have the ability to intimidate.
You need checks and balances and transparency.
The other cop Warren, was forced out while he was on workers comp and the police department wouldn't give him light duty work like they did for Nate Jette when he got hurt. Why would that be?
What is the real truth that this police department is desperately trying to hide?
There seems to be a conspiracy to get rid of cops that haven't been haven't admitted to taking things that don't belong to them or being demoted because they weren't any good at doing their job.
It's like they have a club where the only way you can belong is to be bad so someone has something to hold over your head to use against you down the road.
If you haven't done anything wrong you can't be in the club or you might expose someone who has done wrong, so boom you're out the door.
So is it me or is there some conspiracy between Gary Phillips, Chris Roberts, Nate Jette and the selectmen to conceal the truth from the public?
And if there is, isn’t that illegal?
Just thought everyone would like to know. Winchester is famous. The Winchester Informer is on the internet. If you do a Google name search using the names mentioned in the blog( Margaret Sharra, Gary Phillips, Chris Roberts , Nate Jette,Dean Beaman Warren, Breau, Dan Reppucci, Paul Mccoomb) at Google.com you will see the Winchester Informer and the related articles.
To FYI, you canpo google anything that was ever typed or saved on a website, blog or anything else on the internet.
To the citizens of Winchester. Here are some more facts which can verified by Victor Mlavet, Fred Zeigler, Eric Ammann, Dan Reppucci, Kyle Hodgeman and Chief Phillips who were all present for the physical testing on the first Saturday in June. These facts are an example of inconsistencies, making exceptions for the chosen few and violating police department policy. First of all, here is a little background information on Kenny Smith. Smith, by his own admission took and failed the required physical testing eleven times before Hurley was hired in 2007 which Smith also failed making this his twelth time. Last January Smith was hired without taking the physical test which, by the way, Chief Phillips is allowing Smith to take in December. Smith applied for the full-time position in June on the first Saturday in June he again failed the physical testing along with Eric Ammann. (Warren Breau was not required to take the physical testing because he passed his requirements in April at Police Standards and Training He also passed again on June 30th when he applied in Swanzey. Also, Breau had to pass his run,situps and pushups before he was allowed to process any further in 2006). At the time of Smith's testing in June Smith was 49, but because he was turning 50 in August he asked if he could be tested under the 50 year old standard which would allow him more time to complete the run, let alone the other requirements. The mere fact Smith even asked for an acception is a serious integrity issue. If he was testing in Concord, Police Standards & Training would have sent Smith home and notified his chief about his embarrasing request. Many applicants have been failed by standards and training and sent home because they missed their run by a few seconds. Eric,Warren and and John Melia can attest to this. The fact Smith asked for an acception speaks volumes about his integrity. It seems he does not want to play by the rules. Keep in mind folks Nate Jette did Smith's background and later trained Smith. This is another example of Chief Phillips's double standard hiring practice and rule bending which can also be validated by Royce Pelkey who was extremely frustrated with Phillip's during Smith's and Hurley's physical testing process. Did the selectmen know about Smith not doing the physical testing before he was hired? Phillip's will argue that Smith was not required to take the test until December. Phillips's rule bending and making exceptions is in direct violation of the department's own policy manual which he wrote. Yes folks,there is a physical standard requirement in the ploicy manual which was also in effect when Robert's was hired but he was not required to do. I guess you could say Robert's was hired in violation of department policy. Don't worry folks, Chief Phillips will write a new policy replacing the old. I'll bet a few old policies are still" floating around".
The Chief has been known to change his policies to make it look like he follows them when he finds out he isn't. It's a well known and establsihed fact amongst former and current employees of his that he can't admit when he is wrong and does the next best thing - covers his tracks.
After reading the by-laws and letters anyone can see there is no provision in the by-laws of this police association that allows anyone to unilaterally make decisions regarding the property belonging to the association and it’s members.
Chris Roberts clearly violated the laws of this association when he made a donation of a table to the Town of Winchester without the consent of the other members.
This wasn’t his personal organization, it belonged to the members – all of the members.
The money was never deposited into the bank and the money was never withdrawn.
Where did the money really come from and where did the money really go?
How come the Treasurer and the President were never given any information about these financial transactions?
What was Chris Roberts trying to hide?
This organization is a private organization and has nothing to do with the town or the police department.
Chris Roberts connived someone into thinking they were making a donation to a good cause.
He states right in his own letter that the seller worked with the Winchester Police Association to lower the price for their cause.
The table was originally $400.00 and he got the seller to reduce his price down to $200.00 – another violation of the by-laws.
Chris Roberts purposely misled these people and lied to them when he didn’t tell them his real plan was to give it to the town.
This shows that Chris Roberts is not an honorable person, he has no integrity, lying for him seems to come second nature and by this action he proves that he does not know the difference between right and wrong.
Chris Roberts clearly told several lies, misled people and omitted information to others.
Isn’t this a cause for concern when he has to testify in court?
Can lawyers, judges, defendants and jury’s really know if Chris Roberts is telling the truth or not when he so easily has a no problem with deception?
What Chris Roberts did here was criminal and he should be punished.
WE HAVE MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS HERE AND THEY NEED ANSWERS.
Why Did CHRIS ROBERTS Get DEMOTED In Hinsdale?
Why Did CHRIS ROBERTS Get Promoted From Sergeant To Lieutenant AND THEN Get DEMOTED To SERGEANT While Working In Hinsdale?
It Wasn't So Hinsdale Could Save Money - They Made Someone Else A Lieutenant In His Place.
So What's The Real Reason Why CHRIS ROBERTS Got DEMOTED?
Hinsdale’s Not In The Habit Of Demoting Officers In It’s Police Department.
Being DEMOTED Is Usually A Form Of Discipline For Some Offense That Is Punishable And Police Departments Use This As A Discipline Tool For Wrongdoing.
Did CHRIS ROBERTS Have Some Wrongdoing Issues?
If This Was An Error Why Didn’t CHIRS ROBERTS Take The Police Department And The Town Of Hinsdale To Court For An Excessive Discipline Charge Or For A Wrongful Discipline Charge?
Why Did CHRIS ROBERTS Take The Demotion And Go To Work The Next Day?
Wouldn’t A Police Officer With Integrity Take This DEMOTION With A Fight?
A Fight All Could Hear Because He Had Nothing To Be Ashamed Of And In Fact Wanted To Tell His Story?
Why Would Any Police Officer Let Their Name Be SULLIED If They Have Nothing Wrong Unless There Is A Basis For The Actions That Led To The DEMOTION?
What Did CHRIS ROBERTS Do In Hinsdale That Caused His Chief and The Town Officials To Feel DEMOTION Was An Appropriate Measure For A Member Of The Police Department And CHRIS ROBERTS In Particular?
How Did CHRIS ROBERTS After Getting FIRED From Hinsdale End Up In Winchester Getting TWO Promotions In A Year And Three Months One Of Them Making Him Second In Command?
Maybe The Chief Will Explain That To Us.
How About It Chief Phillips, Ready To Tell Us The Truth About Your Police Department And What Really Goes On There? We Have A Lot Of Questions.
Why was Chris Roberts who was hired on March 21, 2008 as a Master Patrolmen getting Sergeants pay when he was not doing Sergeant duties?
What agreement to circumvent policy did Chris Roberts and Gary Phillips make when Gary Phillips hired him?
He did not have the responsibilities of Sergeant but was making the money that the Sergeant already there and fully experienced was making.
Why would that be?
Chris Roberts got a promotion to Sergeant 6 months after being hired in September of 2008.
After only 6 months with the Town of Winchester and after being fired from Hinsdale Chris Roberts was promoted to Sergeant.
What responsibilities did he take on to earn that rank?
At the same time that Chris Roberts was hired so was Eric Ammann. Eric Ammann has openly and publicly admitted to getting a "sign on bonus" that DID NOT come from the budget and town money but came directly from Gary Phillips personnally so that he could start immediately.
The town does not have a policy of sign on bonuses for new hires.
How can it be that one is given in a private deal?
Is that legal?
If Eric Ammann got a sign on bonus did Chris Roberts get one too?
Or was his sign on bonus the $5,000increase in pay between the officer position he was hired for and the Sergeant position he got paid for?
Why did Gary Phillips pay Chris Roberts 1,000's of dollars more than the position he was hired for got paid?
Why was Chris Roberts making the same amount of money as the Sergeant who had worked for the town for many years was making? What deals were made behind closed doors?
Something is very wrong with this police department and very wrong with this town.
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