2022-04-29 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 29, 2022 Page 6 prepared to respond correctly to exemptions for mask wearing in businesses. She stated that exemptions weren't being honored. There were specific provisions that acknowledged medical exemptions. They let the Chief of Police know that people were being served trespass notices at businesses. They requested training documentation, but they haven't received that. It didn't appear that any of the officers responded with knowledge of exemptions. It's unconstitutional to force people to wear a medical device. Ms. Magdalene stated that they are coming before the Police Commission to express concerns, rights weren't being honored and the police weren't trained properly. The Chief assured them that police officers were correctly trained, but they are requesting documentation of it. There was no evidence out in the community that the officers were prepared to handle these calls and had knowledge of the law. • Alohalani Hope Cermelj came before the commission. She stated that she asked the Chief of Police for copies of the Oath of Office and asked for officers to receive better training. She expressed that Shawn Dearing was accosted at Ken's House of Pancakes, she would back him up in the court of law, and they would win. HPC 22-31A and HPC 22-31 B: Complainant, Shawn Dearing came before the commission. He stated that they received a letter from the Chief of Police saying that officers were trained regarding the proclamations, but that is not what he has experienced. He expressed that he tried calling the Police Chief for 9 months, he made about 40-50 phone calls, but didn't get a response. An officer told him that the chief has an open-door policy, so he should be able to go to the chief's office anytime, but Mr. Dearing states that this is untrue. He tried about 6 times and was denied, he was told that the chief was busy or in meetings. On January 19, 2022, he met with Captain Saludares and explained to him the situation he was facing at businesses. He was told that it's a civil matter, it's out of their jurisdiction and if businesses choose to trespass him, he can take it to court. He also tried to deliver information to the prosecutor's office to start an investigation and was told to contact the Police Chief. On March 2, 2022, Mr. Dearing had a meeting with Assistant Chief Quiocho to show him all the evidence he accumulated for 2 years and to seek answers as to why there's so much confusion and division between the people and law enforcement. Mr. Dearing filmed the interaction and within 5 minutes, he alleges that he was kicked out of the office. He also has videos showing him being kicked out of establishments. They attempted to shop at Island Naturals without a mask and the staff told them to get out and called the police to trespass them. He was also trespassed from the gym, even though he explained to them that he has a medical exemption. They called the police on him, police responded and advised him that businesses can trespass him if they choose to, and stated that their job as law enforcement officers is to maintain the peace. Mr. Dearing feels that law enforcement should have told these businesses that medical exemptions should be respected and accepted.