2024-08-30 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawai'i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 30, 2024 Page 5 County Morgue Facility: As mentioned in June, Hilo Medical Center announced they would no longer store "HPD bodies" in their morgue, requiring the department to find alternative arrangements. This has triggered a search for a solution, involving ongoing meetings with the Mayor, Managing Director, Public Works, and Corporation Counsel. Just this morning, Deputy Chief Mahuna was in the Mayor's office on a Zoom call with the Governor and Attorney General to go over the Emergency Proclamation needed for a temporary facility. The plan involves using existing county property near the Hilo Medical Center to house two 40-foot refrigerated containers that will be retrofitted with the infrastructure, and to construct a covered area between them and fencing and security measures around the facility. An extension from the initial September 1st deadline is in place, but a county solution will likely be required by the end of September. There was additional discussion on the importation of fentanyl and other drugs through airports, as well as related law enforcement operations. NEW BUSINESS Formation of a Permitted Interaction Group (PIG): The Police Commission discussed forming a PIG to review and propose amendments to the Police Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure. DCC Salas-Ferguson explained Permitted Interaction Groups, are used when the commission needs to address tasks outside of regular meetings. According to HRS, PIGs can consist of two to four members (not a majority) of the Police Commission. The process involves three meetings: the first meeting establishes the PIG, defines the scope and authority, and sets goals; the second meeting involves presenting findings and recommendations to the board, where members can ask clarifying questions; and the third meeting is for deliberation and decision-making. Chair Robinson asked if virtual meetings are possible, to which DCC Salas-Ferguson confirmed they are. Commissioner Quartararo inquired if PIGs can include non-members. DCC Salas-Ferguson clarified that while non-members can attend and provide input, only commission members can be PIG members. Vice Chair Bertsch made a motion to form a PIG, seconded by Commissioner Lacerte, with no discussion, it carried unanimously. Vice Chair Bertsch outlined that the group's purpose would be to research, edit, and audit existing rules, and provide suggestions to the full commission based on their findings. DCC Salas-Ferguson recommended framing this as proposing amendments to the rules. The group's scope will be to propose rule amendments. They would need to determine membership and authority accordingly.