2022-03-18 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 18, 2022 Page 2 Commissioner Quartararo inquired about the clearance rates, Area I shows a higher clearance rate this month, compared to Area II. Assistant Chief Quiocho explained that clearance rates fluctuates just like crime reporting. Clearance rates depends on the disposition of cases, which could be affected by a number of things such as staffing and the courts. From an administrative standpoint, clearance codes assists them with tracking of cases and could be used as a training tool. It's important to track, so the department has a gauge on how they're addressing crime when it occurs. Chair Bertsch asked about the increase of sex assaults compared to last year. He inquired if the COVID lockdowns affected this or if it's a trend. Assistant Chief Quiocho stated that it could be a number of factors that contributes to an increase in reporting. He would like to think that victims feel more comfortable reporting it to police and mandatory agencies are reporting cases more. Whether or not the lockdowns kept crime stats down and moving forward we'll see an increase, is hard to predict. He stated that as we move forward, they will do everything that they can to ensure crime is controlled as much as possible. Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Basque reported that as of March 7, 2022 traffic fatalities are at 22, compared to 10 last year. There were 99 DUI arrests in February, compared to 86 last year. 5,109 citations were issued in February 2022: 3,395 for moving violations, 376 for seatbelt, 21 for child restraint, and 1,317 for speeding. Commissioner Quartararo asked for some kind of report relative to dangerous spots on the roads. A year ago, he asked their councilperson to bring it before public safety and public works. He got a response, but hasn't heard anything since then. He stated that officers know where the problem areas are and if he could get some feedback, it would be appreciated. Assistant Chief Basque stated that they do a crime and traffic analysis every month. Within the traffic analysis, they identify all major and minor traffic accidents and look at how they can include enforcement, public awareness, community service and different strategies to combat those issues. Commissioner Quartararo stated that these obvious problems have been around for many years and we need someone to lobby for a change. Assistant Chief Basque agreed and stated that, as a law enforcement agency, their job is to enforce the law. Personnel Report: Deputy Chief Kenneth Bugado announced that there has been a change in command in their Administrative Bureau. Assistant Chief Jelsma has retired and Major Burian was promoted to assistant chief. Deputy Chief reported sworn vacancies through March 15, 2022 is at 80. Out of that 80, there's 20 in the 94t" Recruit Class and 10 in the 95t" Recruit Class, leaving them with 50 actual vacancies in the field. On March 1, 2022, 27 dispatchers were reallocated upward to a new classification as "Police Communication Officer" and "Supervising Police Communication Officer." Through March 15, 2022, dispatch has a total of 44 positions with 22 filled, 17 vacancies, and all 5 supervisor positions filled. Along with the reallocations, their