2022-04-29 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 29, 2022 Page 4 • Other Department Activities: Police Chief Ferreira reported that with the lifting of COVID restrictions they are going back to a full ceremony for Police Week. On May 16, 2022, at the Hilo Police Station, in front of the memorial at 10:00 a.m. A similar ceremony will be held at the Kealakehe Police Station, in the parking lot area, on May 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The Police Commission is welcomed to attend. They sent an invitation to the Chair John Bertsch to say a few words. If he is unable to, another Commissioner is welcomed to. Going back to the crime report, Chief Ferreira stated to keep in mind that the statistics for thefts include shoplifting. The numbers seem to be increasing due to the state of the economy. Chief Ferreira reported on their budget hearing with the County Council. It's a status quo budget going into next year with no increases other than utilities. A challenge they've been facing is with recruitment. When he went before the Council in April 2021, he reported that they had 57 sworn vacancies. When he went before them a few weeks ago, he reported 51 sworn vacancies. In one year, they gained six bodies through the recruitment process. Part of it is because of the retention and the new work force. They also have 25 officers that will be eligible for retirement. Commissioner Quartararo inquired with him about viewing the exit interviews. Captain Saludares, in charge of training did a review of 22 of the recruits that left the 95t" recruit class. Captain Saludares typed a memorandum explaining what the recruits stated and why they resigned. The Chief will redact the names and distribute to the commission to review. Another challenge is with the dispatchers, who are now called Police Communications Officers, which was a result of ACT 63. Hawaii County reclassified them and gave them a reallocation upward. Vice Chair Brown asked about their SR Level. The chief responded SR 14, 17 and 19, depending on the position. He hopes that they'll look at reallocating them upward even more because the rate that they're at now still isn't sufficient. They are looking at making changes to their bargaining unit; they are still with HGEA, bargaining unit 3. Hopefully this will help with recruitment and retention. The purpose was to recognize them as first responders and their importance. With the new facility coming up on Mohouli Street and the changes in pay, they hope to move forward. Commissioner Springer asked about the legislature looking at introducing a statewide training center. Chief Ferreira stated that there is a bill that will most likely pass. It's creating a statewide law enforcement department. Currently the Department of Public Safety for the state oversees Corrections, Sheriffs, Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED), all the enforcement agencies for the state. What they propose would separate the entities. Right now, the director of Public Safety oversees Corrections and the law enforcement side. This bill will separate it to a Department of Corrections and a Department of State Law Enforcement. The initial language in the bill included a state law enforcement -training center for all law enforcement officers across the state.