2021-05-21 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 21, 2021 Page 3 their concerns. They had sign waving around the island for police week. They pushed out a media release on Monday and Tuesday. West Hawaii Today had good news releases, but the Hawaii Tribune Herald was lacking. Chief Ferreira reported that shortage of dispatchers is a nationwide issue. It's a stressful job. Dispatchers go from one call to another never knowing what will happen. They now do a realistic job interview where they bring the candidates into the dispatch center to see what is happening. They have dedicated dispatcher trainers, and training is very demanding. They have dispatchers from other islands apply, but he hasn't seen it from the mainland. They have been working for years to get a joint police/fire dispatcher center. • Other Department Activities: Chief Ferreira reported that they did a small police week ceremony only for the families in front of the Hilo Memorial. Recess was called at 9:40 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:50 a.m. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION (None.) EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the public.) Commissioner Lassiter motioned to meet in executive session to consider charges against officers or employees of the police department where matters affecting privacy will be involved, to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety, and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Brown seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:52 a.m. Open session reconvened at 12:37 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Correspondence 21-05: Request for representation by Corporation Counsel in CV 19- 00209, Bernhardt vs. County of Hawaii and Stanley Kaina. Commissioner Sur motioned to approve representation by Corporation Counsel. Commissioner Toci seconded, and it carried unanimously. • Complaint HPC 21-08: Complainant alleged that officers were rude and biased. At the previous meeting, there were 4 ayes for insufficient and 2 nays. At that time, a mistake was made that 5 votes were needed to carry, and the complaint was carried to the next meeting. There were 7 present with 4 being a majority, and it should have carried at that time. Commissioner Sur motioned that the commission's previous decision of