Steve Agrafiotis

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John

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Dec 30, 2010, 9:29:24 PM12/30/10
to Hooksett Issues
I am just curious.... Seems the town was finally about to do the right
thing and fire this man, so is he going skate through more lies and
unethical behavior? I wonder if anyone else could ever get away with
as many lies and deceitful behavior as this man has?

Any updates? Is he still chief?


John Grobowski

David Pearl

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Dec 30, 2010, 10:19:01 PM12/30/10
to John, Hooksett Issues
Hi John
    I did a little research over the holidays, here is what I came up with:

As we begin 2011, still our Police Dept. problems linger. I could do a review of the last year, but what is the use, it would end like this: “There is one person responsible for the problems at HPD and it is Mr. Agrafiotis.” The Police Chief has been asked many times to resign, but he won’t. 956 people willingly signed a petition asking wanted him to be suspended, but he is still here. Is it the Police Commission’s fault? Is it the Town Council’s fault? Are the citizens of Hooksett at fault? 

I asked myself these questions, and here is what I came up with.

New Hampshire RSA 105:2-a is the hold up.  The statute states that a Police Chief can only be dismissed “for cause.” Unlike most “employees at will,” police chiefs have a state law written just for them, and they automatically get an appeal with the Superior Court. 

So what does “only for cause” mean?  From what I understand, it pretty much means a police chief must break the law.   Although there are at least two lawsuits pending against Mr Agrafiotis, with many complaints having been filed against him, so far it has not been proven that he actually has broken the law. So even though we don’t like the way he acts as Chief of Police, it seems he remains as our chief.

This explains how he keeps his job after the entire Officer Defina debacle… How he endures the high legal bills and high employee turnover.

 So we can blame the Police Commission or the Town Council or the citizens -- but really it is RSA 105:2a that is the road block. Basically, a Police Chief gets a life time contract, unless there is cause. Here is RSA 105:2a

Happy New Year

David Pearl, Hooksett

TITLE VII, SHERIFFS, CONSTABLES, AND POLICE OFFICERSCHAPTER 105 POLICE OFFICERS AND WATCHMENSection 105:2-a105:2-a Police Chiefs; Powers; Dismissal. – Subject to such written formal policies as may be adopted by the appointing authority, each chief of police, superintendent of police, or city marshal of any city or town who is appointed rather than elected, shall have authority to direct and control all employees of his or her department in their normal course of duty and shall be responsible for the efficient and economical use of all department equipment. Such chief, superintendent, or city marshal shall be subject to suspension without pay or dismissal only for cause, and after he or she has been presented with a written specification of the reasons. Upon such suspension or dismissal, he or she shall be entitled to a hearing, on the merits and reasonableness of the action, in superior court in the county in which the municipality is located, provided that he or she petitions the clerk of the superior court for such a hearing within 45 days of his or her suspension or dismissal. The court shall have the power to affirm, modify, or negate such suspension or dismissal, based upon its findings.

Source. 1973, 371:1, eff. Aug. 27, 1973. 2005, 24:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

 





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John Reed

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Dec 30, 2010, 11:27:09 PM12/30/10
to David Pearl, Hooksett
So unsnapping his holster and threatening an unarmed individual with deadly force is not against the law? Is this not criminal threatening with a deadly weapon. If this is the case then we need to open the prison and jail cells because we have wrongly imprisoned law abiding citizens. I understand that an investigation was launched into this action by the chief and the records were sealed.

So if he did commit this very serious violation of carrying a firearm why was he not fired then. If he did not commit this action why were the records sealed.

This is very confusing.

Of course this is just my opion.

John Reed

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry


From: David Pearl <in...@videonh.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:19:01 -0500
Cc: Hooksett Issues<hookset...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {Hooksett Issues} Steve Agrafiotis

David Pearl

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Dec 31, 2010, 12:04:31 AM12/31/10
to jgl...@comcast.net, Hooksett
Hi John
    
  Believe me, having been the person that asked him those direct questions and listen to him not answer, I want him fired. I see the problem is that he has not been charged  and convicted of breaking the law.
  I believe that he did the things you mentioned, but for whatever reason charges weren't filed, that we know about. The records from 2005 are still sealed.
   I guess it really is all about what " only for cause" ( RSA 105;2a) means. In reading one case it was breaking the law, I am not sure if it has to be.
   Trying to define " cause" really comes down to the context it which it is used, and what the job is.
  Anybody out there that knows more about this than I please chime in.
Dave Pearl

John

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Dec 31, 2010, 7:02:17 AM12/31/10
to Hooksett Issues
I guess I am just disgusted because we have read of police chiefs
being fired this year for things that were not criminal. Often, the
towns have had enough with a chief and decided to bear the burden of
just firing the person and dealing with it later. What is even more
disturbing is that many of these other towns don't even have the
ammunition that the town of Hooksett has. Pure lies, unethical
behavior and deceitful tactics all done by one person, Steve
Agrafiotis, and he still has a job. I was talking with a State Trooper
the other day and brought up Hooksett. The Trooper, whose name I will
not say for his own reasons, said that it is not a secret that the
Hooksett Chief is crazy and should have been fired. He said Hooksett
has lost too many good officers because of this man. I can't believe
with all the video evidence of lies and unethical behavior that Steve
still has a job.

Here's another question, what has Steve contributed to the town of
Hooksett?

John Grobowski
> > ------------------------------
> > *From: * David Pearl <i...@videonh.com>
> > *Sender: * hookset...@googlegroups.com
> > *Date: *Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:19:01 -0500
> > *To: *John<grobowski.j...@yahoo.com>
> > *Cc: *Hooksett Issues<hookset...@googlegroups.com>
> > *Subject: *Re: {Hooksett Issues} Steve Agrafiotis
>
> > Hi John
> >     I did a little research over the holidays, here is what I came up with:
>
> > *As we begin 2011, still our Police Dept. problems linger. I could do a
> > review of the last year, but what is the use, it would end like this: “There
> > is one person responsible for the problems at HPD and it is Mr. Agrafiotis.”
> > The Police Chief has been asked many times to resign, but he won’t. 956
> > people willingly signed a petition asking wanted him to be suspended, but he
> > is still here. Is it the Police Commission’s fault? Is it the Town Council’s
> > fault? Are the citizens of Hooksett at fault?  *
>
> > *I asked myself these questions, and here is what I came up with. *
>
> > *New Hampshire RSA 105:2-a is the hold up.  The statute states that a
> > Police Chief can only be dismissed “for cause.” Unlike most “employees at
> > will,” police chiefs have a state law written just for them, and they
> > automatically get an appeal with the Superior Court.  *
>
> > *So what does “only for cause” mean?  From what I understand, it pretty
> > much means a police chief must break the law.   Although there are at
> > least two lawsuits pending against Mr Agrafiotis, with many complaints
> > having been filed against him, so far it has not been proven that he
> > actually has broken the law. So even though we don’t like the way he acts as
> > Chief of Police, it seems he remains as our chief. *
>
> > *This explains how he keeps his job after the entire Officer Defina
> > debacle… How he endures the high legal bills and high employee turnover. *
>
> > * So we can blame the Police Commission or the Town Council or the
> > citizens -- but really it is RSA 105:2a that is the road block. Basically, a
> > Police Chief gets a life time contract, unless there is cause. Here is RSA
> > 105:2a*
>
> > *Happy New Year*
>
> > *David Pearl, Hooksett*
> > TITLE VII, SHERIFFS, CONSTABLES, AND POLICE OFFICERSCHAPTER 105 POLICE
> > OFFICERS AND WATCHMENSection 105:2-a105:2-a Police Chiefs; Powers;
> > Dismissal. – Subject to such written formal policies as may be adopted by
> > the appointing authority, each chief of police, superintendent of police, or
> > city marshal of any city or town who is appointed rather than elected, shall
> > have authority to direct and control all employees of his or her department
> > in their normal course of duty and shall be responsible for the efficient
> > and economical use of all department equipment. Such chief, superintendent,
> > or city marshal shall be subject to suspension without pay or dismissal only
> > for cause, and after he or she has been presented with a written
> > specification of the reasons. Upon such suspension or dismissal, he or she
> > shall be entitled to a hearing, on the merits and reasonableness of the
> > action, in superior court in the county in which the municipality is
> > located, provided that he or she petitions the clerk of the superior court
> > for such a hearing within 45 days of his or her suspension or dismissal. The
> > court shall have the power to affirm, modify, or negate such suspension or
> > dismissal, based upon its findings.
>
> > *Source.** 1973, 371:1, eff. Aug. 27, 1973. 2005, 24:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
> > *
>
> > On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 9:29 PM, John <grobowski.j...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >> I am just curious.... Seems the town was finally about to do the right
> >> thing and fire this man, so is he going skate through more lies and
> >> unethical behavior? I wonder if anyone else could ever get away with
> >> as many lies and deceitful behavior as this man has?
>
> >> Any updates? Is he still chief?
>
> >> John Grobowski
>
> >> --
> >> You are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hooksett Issues" group.
> >> You Can " Reply" to the author, or " Reply All" to the Group
> >> Contact the group at:  hookset...@googlegroups.com
> >> To unsubscribe , send email  with a request to: i...@videonh.com
> >> To View the Web Page go to:
> >>http://groups-beta.google.com/group/hooksett-issues?hl=en
>
> > --
> > David Pearl
> > Spotlight Video
> > 79 Main St.
> > Hooksett, NH 03106
> > (603) 485-7111
> > i...@videonh.com
> >http://www.videonh.com/
>
> > --
> > You are subscribed to the Google Groups "Hooksett Issues" group.
> > You Can " Reply" to the author, or " Reply All" to the Group
> > Contact the group at: hookset...@googlegroups.com
> > To unsubscribe , send email with a request to: i...@videonh.com
> > To View the Web Page go to:
> >http://groups-beta.google.com/group/hooksett-issues?hl=en
>
> --
> David Pearl
> Spotlight Video
> 79 Main St.
> Hooksett, NH 03106
> (603) 485-7111
> i...@videonh.comhttp://www.videonh.com/- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Alex Wilson

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Jan 1, 2011, 1:22:01 PM1/1/11
to Hooksett Issues
If I look at this from a business standpoint, my question is what gets
us out of this the cheapest? No one will like this suggestion, but
perhaps the town should "buy out" his contract. That will be wholly
unsatisfying to many (most) as they will feel justice will not have
been done. However, by the time you add up all the legal bills he is
causing and the legal bills to keep playing the game to get rid of
him, it is perhaps the cheapest way to handle it. For all the
comments made on here about keeping the costs and budgets down, it is
something I think we should look at.

Alex Wilson

John

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Jan 2, 2011, 1:12:46 AM1/2/11
to Hooksett Issues
Alex, I have to say that I agree with you. As much as I believe Steve
Agrafiotis should be fired for the things he has done, it is apparent
that the Council nor the Commission have the balls to do this. Even
with all the videos showing outright lies, unethical behavior and
mismanagement of his funds no one will do anything... So, before he
spends even more money, they should negotiate with him to get him out!
He is a waste of space in a police department that has become the
laughing stock of New Hampshire. I feel bad for the men and women
working there, they are the ones suffering because this incompetent
leader.

John Grobowski
> > John Grobowski- Hide quoted text -

David Pearl

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Jan 2, 2011, 1:50:31 AM1/2/11
to Alex Wilson, Hooksett Issues
Hi Alex
    I agree with you. The cheapest way would likely be to buy him off. But. we shouldn't  reward him for bad behavior, isn't that what we teach our kids? Do we do what we would tell our kids not to do? I don't see how we can. Even though for what it would cost me in taxes I would be willing to pay him off.
    Here is the problem, the police isn't just like a bussines,we trust the police to protect us. They don't make money for us, they keep the peace for us. We have to be able to trust them. So for Hooksett to have integrity how can we pay him off. What does this say about our town?
  I am one of the cheapest people you will meet, but I understand value. If in fact all of the people that have complained about the negative press about Hooksett want to change it ,here is your chance . if we do what is right , the papers will will say we did what was right.
  I think we need to find another solution, one that will minimize the cost, but leave us with some integrity . We are working in it.

Dave Pearl.

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David Pearl
Spotlight Video
79 Main St.
Hooksett, NH 03106
(603) 485-7111
in...@videonh.com
http://www.videonh.com/

Olivia

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Jan 3, 2011, 7:04:05 AM1/3/11
to Hooksett Issues
I guess the whole thing is just really sad. Men and women go through
an aweful lot to become police officers. How many of us have had to
have their entire lives investigated before accepting a job? I don't
mean sign your name on this piece of paper while I run your name. I
mean, police officers talking to your neighbors, family, friends,
searching your background for something you may have done wrong in
your past. Then having to take a psychological evaluation and a lie
detector test. This is a lot to go through and I couldn't even imagine
the stress of all this. Now think about this.... OVER 60 EMPLOYEES
HAVE DONE THIS AGAIN JUST TO GET AWAY FROM CHIEF AGRAFIOTIS. These
people, some of whom I have talked with, wanted nothing more than to
leave Hooksett and "close the door on that hell hole".

I have only two words to say about Chief Agrafiotis:

FIRE HIM!

Olivia
> > To unsubscribe , send email  with a request to: i...@videonh.com
> > To View the Web Page go to:
> >http://groups-beta.google.com/group/hooksett-issues?hl=en
>
> --
> David Pearl
> Spotlight Video
> 79 Main St.
> Hooksett, NH 03106
> (603) 485-7111

David Pearl

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Jan 3, 2011, 10:27:28 PM1/3/11
to Olivia, Hooksett Issues
Hi Olivia
    I think many people have come to the concussion that he has to go. The question is how.
I am not in favor of a pay off because of the message it would send. If we want to improve the reputation of HPD then we have to draw a line in the sand right here. He has to leave or be fired, no deals. As much as many want to see him go, it would be a slap in the face of officers and former officers to give him one cent.

just my two cents
Dave Pearl


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--
David Pearl
Spotlight Video
79 Main St.
Hooksett, NH 03106
(603) 485-7111
in...@videonh.com
http://www.videonh.com/

Rudy

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Jan 3, 2011, 10:41:51 PM1/3/11
to Hooksett Issues
"People have come to the concussion..."
How is that for an amusing Freudism Slip malaprop!! LOL

To echo the sentiment about how officers feel about this issue >
As we have said many times ...
It is not the patrol officers that are the "bad apples."
It's the Chief...

I want to publicly thank Captain John Daigle and Prosecutor
Kimberly Chabot, for their professional assistance and advice given to
me today...
on an issue that is of a great personal interest to me.
Their effort to answer my questions and resolve my concerns,
dealing with specific police protocols,
was sincerely appreciated...
I owe them that thanks herein. They did their jobs when asked...
Rudy / mm
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Todd Lizotte

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Jan 3, 2011, 11:41:17 PM1/3/11
to Hooksett Issues
Olivia has a great point about background checks.

I wonder how the background checks were done or who conducted them for
the candidates that were seeking the Chief of Police position in
Hooksett, when Mr. Agrafiotis was a candidate.

Best regards,
Todd


Rudy

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Jan 4, 2011, 12:03:38 AM1/4/11
to Hooksett Issues
It is my understanding that the selection of this Chief was handled
by a combination of committees --
The Police Commission and a separate select group of citizens
performing the vetting process.
Was the process done properly and thoroughly?
Did the selection committees consider all relevant background
variables of all candidates, to come up with the BEST candidate?
Did the committees research past performances in previous
communities in which the candidates served?
Were Raymond and Candia PD departments contacted for references?
Was it a "fait a complit" done deal, without aresulting in ny
intense research being completed?
Would indeed be interesting to find out how we have selectively
come to this point, to have gone this far awry...
Rudy / mm

David Pearl

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Jan 4, 2011, 7:51:02 AM1/4/11
to Rudy, Hooksett Issues
Well Rudy ,some times it feels like a concussion.
I think most people know this has to end.
The question is how.
Dave Pearl

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Hooksett, NH 03106
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