2024-07-19 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawai'i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes July 19, 2024 Page 3 recruits in academic training, scheduled to continue until January 15, 2025, before moving to field training. They anticipate a start date for the 102nd recruit class on November 18th, 18 passed the written test, and 20 attended the agility test. Since December 3, 2023, Police Officer I positions have moved to continuous recruitment. On May 8,2024, 17 candidates were referred to HPD, 13 of those were new applicants, and 4 were retakes. There were two no-shows, nine passed, and six failed. On June 5th, eight applicants were referred, five were new, three were retakes, three of them were no-shows, four passed and one failed. During the week of June 17th, a written examination was held, followed by a physical agility test on July 31. Thirteen candidates were referred on July 31; of these, six passed, five failed, and two did not show. Applicants can retake the agility test on August 7th. The next written exams for Police Officer I will be held the week of July 22nd followed by the physical agility test on August 7th. • Finance: Major Evangelista reported that HPD's overall expenditure target was 99.86%, with the actual expenditure at 92.33%. The target for salaries and wages through June 30, 2024 (close of the fiscal year) was 100%, with the actual figure at 99.46%. Regular salaries and wages were at 88.64%, overtime salaries and wages at 239.18%, and miscellaneous salaries and wages at 143.63%. Commissioner Tavares mentioned that at the last meeting, they requested a turnover or retention report and inquired about any progress on that. Major Evangelista responded that progress is likely being made but wasn't certain about the current status. Commissioner Buckman asked whether the Police Commission is involved in the recruit class training, specifically if recruits are introduced to the commission, its role, and how it relates to them in the future. Major Evangelista responded that he believes this is covered in a block of instruction. Commissioner Buckman noted that this was suggested five years ago, but he's unsure if it has been implemented. Major Evangelista, reflecting on his own experience as a recruit, recalled being trained on the Police Commission, so he is confident it is part of the current training. Chair Robinson referenced the finance report, noting that $331,928 was carried over under year-end salaries and wages, indicating that the full budgeted amount wasn't spent. Major Evangelista explained that this was due to their vacancies. Chair Robinson then inquired about the costs incurred by officers who assisted Maui after the wildfires, asking whether Maui County would reimburse these expenses or if it would be covered by the County of Hawai'i. Major Evangelista responded that they are seeking reimbursement for those salaries and wages. When asked whether the reimbursement would come from Maui County or a federal disaster fund, Major Evangelista clarified that he wasn't certain of the process—it could involve requesting funds from Maui, which might then seek federal assistance, but he did not have specific details.