2024-06-21 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 21, 2024 Page 7 containing criminal justice information to meet FBI standards, requiring compliant software. The challenge is finding a vendor or software that is compliant, but he doesn't see why they can't purchase a few licenses and implement it for other department purposes before implementing them department-wide. In the next 30 days, he will have Deputy Chief Mahuna update the commission on whether they can purchase licenses for Ms. Correa to trial. If the software proves useful, they will cover it under their budget. DCC Frenz advised that HFD purchased a system for LEPC meetings. She suggested asking the Fire Chief to allow Ms. Correa to utilize the same license and see how that works while HPD seeks a larger system. NEW BUSINESS Correspondence No. 24-15: Communication from County Auditor, Tyler Benner regarding notification received by the Office of the County Auditor concerning alleged questionable field practices by the Hawai'i Police Department. Mr. Benner explained that communication was forwarded to the Police Commission to encourage a broader discussion on public complaints and inquiries. His office operates a fraud, waste, and abuse hotline, and the inquiry alleged that the Hawai'i Police Department arrests individuals for DUI when drug paraphernalia is found in a vehicle. This did not fit the definitions of fraud or waste but did fit the definition of abuse which includes the misuse of one's authority and position. The Police Commission as the sole authority entrusted with governance and oversight of the Police Department, is responsible for such matters. According to Police Commission Rules, communications from any county agency on policy matters should be referred to the commission. The Hawai'i County Charter also states that the Police Commission reviews the department's operations to recommend improvements. Mr. Benner clarified that they are not asserting the claim's validity. Since the inquiry was outside the hotline's scope, no investigation was conducted. They referred the matter to the commission, as required by the commission's rules and the County Charter, to avoid impeding their work. They welcome dialogue with the department to clarify practices and seek the commission's guidance on future requests. He emphasized the importance of providing the public with opportunities to give feedback in a non-confrontational manner. Currently, their office lacks instructions on facilitating this. There was further discussion regarding the county auditor's role, investigations, outsourcing external investigators, unsubstantiated and anonymous complaints, and employees' rights. Chief Moszkowicz emphasized that his concern isn't with the content of the anonymous complaint but more about the timing of receiving it last week. He reached out to the commission's secretary for a copy and initiated an inquiry with OPS, finding it unsubstantiated. He emphasized the importance of establishing a clear referral process for