Foster’s Daily Democrat
September 3, 2010

ROCHESTER — It was a night of kudos at the Rochester Police Commission's monthly meeting Wednesday.

The commissioners recognized Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, D-Rochester, for her efforts to bring grants to the police department. Chief David Dubois offered the Chief's Award to detectives Hana Stickles and Molly Aubuchon for their work. Nine additional officers received distinguished unit action awards for their efforts on a recent high-profile kidnapping case.

The nine officers were Detective Sgt. Anthony Deluca, Sgt. Jason Thomas, detectives Steven Bourque, Todd Pinkham and Robert Frechette, and officers Jamey Balint, Matthew Flathers, Keith MacKenzie and Scott Loignon.

The case in question was one in which Brian Binder, a 24-year-old transient, was accused of kidnapping two girls and taking them along with another woman to Somersworth, where he allegedly threatened them with deadly weapons and held them against their will for hours.

Dubois said the case involved coordination between departments, interrogation techniques, issuance of search warrants and processing of the crime scene. He said Rochester's officers did an exceptional job juggling all the tasks.

"You all did a great job. You have my congratulations," he said.

The chief gave the prestigious Chief's Award to Stickles — who could not attend the meeting — and Aubuchon, two detectives he said brought the department to new heights with their work.

Stickles, Dubois said, is known for her work on sex crime cases throughout the region. She is a valuable asset not only for Rochester Police, but also for the Strafford County Attorney's Office, he said. She is recognized as a talented interviewer who is good at dealing with victims of sex crimes, he said.

Aubuchon works in juvenile services and has been instrumental in providing the department with gang intelligence to address youth gang issues, Dubois said. Several chiefs in the region have commented on her work, he said.

"You've transcended it and brought us to a higher level," he said.

The Police Commission offered its thanks to Congresswoman Shea-Porter in appreciation of recent grants she has brought to the department. Dubois said in three years, she has brought well over $500,000 in funds for technology, equipment and training to Rochester police.

That funding has allowed the city to purchase a state-of-the-art crime van, laser-guided measurement tools for accident reconstruction and crime scene investigation, laptops and more. Officers have also received training on the new technology thanks to the Congresswoman's office, Dubois said.

"It is phenomenal," he said. "I've never seen this type of assistance from any other Congressional leader in the past."

Shea-Porter attended the meeting and accepted a plaque in recognition of her efforts. She said she was simply glad to provide for the city.

"It's a good reputation in the district when we talk about Rochester," she said. "If we don't give you tools to do the job, you can't perform at the highest level."