Editor’s note: During the course of a week, issues are covered that might not lend themselves to full editorial comment, but they are worthy of The Sunday Telegraph weighing in – thumbs up, thumbs down or neutral.

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Thumbs UP – To Gov. Chris Sununu for implementing many of the recommendations made by his Commission on Law Enforcement, Accountability, Community and Transparency panel. In late August, the group issued a 153-page report with 48 recommendations in areas such as officer certification and training, the reporting and investigating of police misconduct, improving community relations and mental health. Among other things, Sununu’s order directs the Police Standards and Training Council to create policy guidelines regarding the use of force; duty to intervene; code of conduct; duty to report misconduct; prohibition of choke holds; and procedures to guard against positional asphyxia. It also mandates officer training on implicit bias and cultural responsiveness, ethics and de-escalation, and requires similar training on implicit bias and racial profiling for prosecutors and public defenders.

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THUMBS UP – To Rivier University on its announcement that it will begin to field men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. Rivier has long been in the expansion process, adding facilities, programs and sports teams. Their work to expand their offersings certainly makes them a destination institution for many and put Nashua on the education map.

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THUMBS UP – To Nashua officials for giving the go-ahead for city youth to trick-or-treat this year. Festivities are set for 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. While additional safety guidelines are forthcoming, it is important for parents to follow their own instincts on whether or not to allow their sons or daughters to take part. COVID cases are indeed spiking in Nashua, and caution must be taken to maintain public safety. Let’s hope cases begin to go in the other direction and that everyone stays safe this holiday season.

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