2021-06-18 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 18, 2021 Page 4 police chose to side with the store and issued her a trespass when she was not being belligerent or rude. She just wanted to checkout. There seems to be an issue with training for police officers on what it means to take an oath and defending the constitution. Officer #1 gave her three options: put her mask on and check out, leave the store, or be arrested. She took the option to just leave the store. Officers #1 and #2 were very courteous, sweet people, not trained correctly. It seems they don't know what it means to take the oath. The lieutenant came. His body language was aggravated. She asked him if she took an oath to support and defend the constitution. That really riled him up. He threatened to arrest her. She let that calm down. She asked if he didn't have to support the constitution. He made a statement that the constitution isn't in the governor's order. It doesn't apply because it isn't in the governor's order. The constitution is the supreme order of the land. She asked the commission if they took an oath to defend the constitution. Chair Bertsch stated that they take an oath, but they are not the police. Their complaint is about officer training. There has been a lot of misinformation about wearing masks, and how to enforce it. Different states have different rules. It is very confusing out there both for the citizens and police officers. The lieutenant wanted to diffuse the situation and let her proceed without getting into a constitutional debate. Mrs. Johnson stated that the police needs to be trained. They are breaking their rules. They are lying. She has a video of an officer saying there is no medical exemption. They need to be retrained right away. After this occurred, she didn't see any officers saying there was no medical exemption. What happened at the store is not for the officer to interfere. Chair Bertsch told Ms. Johnson that they need to focus on their complaint. Mr. Johnson stated that they went to the mayor's office, and asked for all the rules and commands that the mayor gave to the police department. Corporation Counsel Strance responded for the mayor's office that there were no written rules from the mayor to the police chief regarding Covid. There seems to be a disconnect. Ms. Johnson stated that she has a phone video from the beginning when she entered the store, the whole interaction with the staff, and with the police officer. Mr. Johnson stated that the officer stated that they have a recording, but when they requested, a copy, it was not available. Commissioner Toci asked Ms. Johnson if her intent was to see if she would be allowed to shop without the mask. Mrs. Johnson stated, "Yes." She further stated that she does not wear a mask at any time. She was told to wear a mask immediately upon entering the store. She talked