2021-09-20 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes September 20, 2021 Page 3 Prevention Committee selected Officer Dustin Medeiros as Officer of the Month for September. Other Department Activities: Chief Ferreira reported that police officer recruitment information is on their website. Normally, if an applicant was arrested for sale and distribution of recreational drugs, the applicant is banned from employment for life. An applicant can be disqualified for using marijuana in the last 2 years. A marijuana medical card disqualifies a person from having a firearm. Anti -vac demonstrations do not need a permit. Regarding anti -vac demonstrators do not need a permit, but officers monitor the situation. For the most part, people have been compliant. The mask mandate is only for indoors and close contact proximity. Demonstrators are at the Pahoa roundabout every weekend. Chair Bertsch stated that they enable people to voice their concerns, but they have to balance that with safety concerns. The police are peacekeepers, but they cannot take sides. Chief Ferreira stated that right now, there is no money coming in for Covid enforcement. This additional enforcement is on overtime basis. They are also having issues with Seaview in Puna. Regarding staffing, the numbers fluctuate every year. A couple officers left because of the Covid mandate. 66% of employees are vaccinated, some in process, and about 20% are not vaccinated. This is the first week they have to make sure everyone who was not vaccinated, is tested. The County sent out guidelines. You get tested, provide results, or get discipline. The County has set up free testing sites. Recess was called at 10:09 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:37 a.m. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION (None.) EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Toci motioned to meet in executive session to consider charges against officers of the Police Department where matters affecting privacy would 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 13-20 (b). Commissioner Lassiter seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:38 a.m. Open session reconvened at 12:15 a.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Investigation of Complaints • HPC 21-42: Complainant alleged that excessive force was used during her arrest, and her finger was injured. She also complained about how officers handled the entire