2022-12-29 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawaii Police Commission Special Meeting Minutes December 29, 2022 Page 3 someone who will continue to move the department forward. He explained that if the chief were to appoint someone that is the rank of captain and above, they would take a pay cut to do that. He stated he knows it's not their decision, but encouraged the commission to work with the mayor and the salary commission. He explained that the salaries of officers are determined by their contract, collective bargaining, which was determined by an arbitrator and the chief and deputy chief's salaries should be increased. Commissioner Sur clarified that the salary commission sets the salaries for the chief and the deputy. AC Burian stated that's correct and explained that they don't get overtime, that is their salary. Commissioner Bertsch thanked AC Burian for stepping up and taking the position. He stated they tried to expedite the process the best that they could. He's proud of the commission and the selection that they've done. He said if there's anything they can do while he's assuming this role, they all stand ready to support him. With regards to the salary commission, he explained that was on their horizons and they understand that's a mission they need to undertake and it's long overdue. It's his understanding that the salary commission hasn't had a quorum for a year because they don't have enough members. It was a question prior to the selection of the chief and they hope they can make some strategic changes. Chair Brown thanked Roger Christie for writing a nice letter to the editor of the Tribune- Herald, which was in yesterday's paper. Mr. Christie wrote about the hearings during the selection process. In this letter, he stated as far as the commission was concerned, the people, not just him, but friends of his who attended felt that they were respected and heard. In the letter, he also mentioned that the hearings seemed open, fair, and small-town friendly. ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Chair Brown announced the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI. Commissioner Springer stated that someone asked her if the meetings in Kona would be made available via Zoom. She wasn't sure if they would be continuing to use Zoom or not. Ms. Correa stated to her understanding, they were providing Zoom during the chief selection process. So, for 2023, she scheduled all the meetings in the conference rooms, at the original locations. Commissioner Springer stated she advised them that they were using Zoom primarily because of the chief selection. Chair Brown stated they would first have to check to see if the County Council Chambers are available on those days. He asked if the commission would want to hold their meetings in Council Chambers, to be able to provide meetings via Zoom. Chair Bertsch stated what we experienced this morning shows the impracticality and challenges that they have. He