By Ginger Kozlowski

The Hooksett Police Commission has refused to look into a complaint filed against the police chief because it was unsigned, despite its own policy allowing anonymous complaints.

A document was filed with the Hooksett Police Commission on Tuesday, May 19, asking for an investigation into Police Chief Stephen Agrafiotis, alleging 10 different complaints. The complaint said there is no confidence in Agrafiotis to effectively manage and operate the Hooksett Police Department and wanted him removed during the investigation.

During the Tuesday, May 19, commission meeting, resident and former Hooksett School Board member Maura Ouellette asked if the commission received a complaint about the chief and whether action was going to be taken on it.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” said commission Chairman David Gagnon. “I find it an unsigned request. If someone wants to make accusations, they should sign it.”

Ouellette countered, saying the department’s own policy allows anonymous complaints, as outlined in a pamphlet she obtained from the front lobby of the Police Department.

“You can’t just put something in anonymously,” said Gagnon.

Agrafiotis tried to explain that anonymous complaints were meant more for situations like rape.

The pamphlet, “Citizen Guide of Commendation and Complaint Procedures,” does make reference to anonymous complaints. “You are not required to give your name,” it says, “however anonymous complaints are much more difficult for this agency to investigate because we will be unable to contact the complainant if further information is desired.”

Ouellette said she thought the Police Commission shouldn’t be able to pick and choose which complaints they decide to take seriously.

“The complaint that was brought forward has some very serious claims,” she said. “As the governing body of the Hooksett Police Department I believe they have an obligation to the community and the employees to have it investigated. The Police Department has an established policy in place which allows complaints to be filed anonymously. The Police Commission is obligated to follow through with this complaint.”

The complaint was made anonymously, according to the document, which was also sent to The Hooksett Banner. It requests information regarding the complaint to be posted on the union board in the police station.

The chief is currently under investigation regarding the number and accuracy of safe schools reports, following discrepancies at various Police Commission meetings in the past few months. The Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office is handling that investigation.

In 2005, Agrafiotis also faced an investigation into his handling of the Police Department. The investigation began after a complaint signed by 17 members of the Police Department was given to the Hooksett Police Commission. After putting Agrafiotis on paid administrative leave for two months, the commission reinstated Agrafiotis.

Officer Jason Defina was the union steward at the time. Currently he is the school resource officer. Defina has been suspended several times over allegations of “untruthfulness” and other claims, for which public hearings recently took place.

Turnover at the department was at issue during that investigation, and is also at the heart of this complaint. A press release from the commission in 2005 said all charges against Agrafiotis, save for one relating to performance appraisals and promotion boards, had been dismissed.