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Hawaii Police Commission <br /> Special Meeting Minutes <br /> December 13, 2022 <br /> Page 21 <br /> because the police chief is in charge of the department and sets the tone and <br /> standard and the bar of what is acceptable behavior. The chief sets that <br /> accountability to everyone, including himself. If he's selected as chief, he <br /> expects to be held to the highest standard above anyone in the department. <br /> he would hold his commanders to a high standard, the same standard that <br /> he holds officers to. There's no disparity in treatment. There's one standard <br /> for all. It starts at the top and it's a leadership issue. Sexual harassment or <br /> harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and would be dealt with in <br /> accordance with applicable procedures and laws. All procedures will be <br /> followed and those who commit those actions would have their due process, <br /> innocent until proven guilty. That will not be tolerated, it would be <br /> communicated as such, zero tolerance. <br /> • Commissioner Toci stated here on the Big Island we have a history of officers killing <br /> their wives. In the organization that she is in, they assist families with filing <br /> temporary restraining orders. She asked, under your leadership, how would you <br /> address officers' needs for self-care and mental health respite without retaliation or <br /> "red flagging" them, allowing them the necessary tools they need for their wellness <br /> for their self-care? How would you address that under your leadership and support <br /> wellness for them? <br /> ➢ Sherry Bird stated under her leadership officer wellness has to be one of <br /> their higher priorities. They're out there, they're seeing things that normally <br /> people wouldn't see in their lifetime, tragic things. As she spoke about <br /> yesterday, policing has evolved. Before you just had tough skin and deal with <br /> whatever you had to deal with and move on to the next. It's much different <br /> nowadays and we recognize that. These events and incidents play a big part <br /> on their mental wellness, things that we had in place already departmentally <br /> is our peer support system. If we know that a brother or sister officer is <br /> experiencing a difficult time, we can call upon our peer support team to reach <br /> out and give that informal counseling, a check on the officer. We also have <br /> the chaplain program. Chaplains are available, they can call on them and <br /> they're able to reach out and communicate as well. There's also the <br /> Employee Assistance Program where employees can remain confidential <br /> and call in to seek counseling, the department doesn't need to know about it. <br /> As chief, she would want to take it to another level and explore wellness <br /> apps. They spoke about innovation, creativity, and using technology. There <br /> are many wellness apps available. Everyone has a phone, so why can't we <br /> explore that and get those programs available for all of our department <br /> personnel so they can have a resource readily available to them and no one <br /> needs to know about it. Also, as chief, promoting not just counseling for <br /> wellness, but also taking care of ourselves such as diet and exercise. She <br /> would like to explore more about making sure our officers remain physically <br /> fit as well. Maybe creating an incentive program, starting off with a voluntary <br />