2024-12-20 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawai'i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 20, 2024 Page 3 • Finance: Major Bird reported that HPD's overall expenditure target was 44.73%, with the actual expenditure at 43.94%. The target for salaries and wages was 45.83%, with the actual figure at 46.67%. Regular salaries and wages were at 40.59%, overtime salaries and wages at 150.66%, and miscellaneous salaries and wages at 82.25% • Commendations & Awards: Chief Moszkowicz reported receiving six commendations involving eight personnel since the last commission meeting in recognition of exceptional service. Additionally, On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Officer Michael Abran received the Haweo Award in recognition of his commitment to the Special Olympics as a track and field coach and Torch Runner. • Other Department Activities and Updates: On Friday, December 13, 2024, around 4.30 p.m., the HCCC Hale Nani Facility on Kanoelehua Avenue reported that two prisoners had escaped. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that a third prisoner had also fled. The escapees were identified as 31-year-old Clyde Loa, in custody for multiple auto thefts and resisting an order to stop, 41-year-old Kawai Pomroy, in custody for abuse of a family or household member, and 35-year-old Joseph Fernandez, in custody for probation revocation related to firearms violations. Surveillance footage revealed one suspect had taken a food service worker's car keys from a restricted area. The three inmates then entered a 2014 Nissan Altima and fled the facility toward Puna. Officers conducted area checks, but delays in the initial report (approximately 60 minutes) led to no immediate findings. Over the weekend, officers followed up on tips and gathered more information. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Fernandez was located at a residence on Hawai'i Boulevard in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates and arrested without incident. The vehicle was also recovered. Fernandez was charged with second-degree escape, first-degree theft (for the motor vehicle), and first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. Loa and Pomroy remain at large. • Staffing Updates: Chief Moszkowicz reported that in 2024, HPD hired 47 Police Officer I recruits, of which 37 remain in the department. The year saw an unusually high number of retirements among senior officers, sergeants, detectives, and lieutenants. A total of 32 officers were eligible to retire during the year, and 18 have retired or are expected to retire by December 31, 2024. As of January 1, 2025, 14 officers remain eligible for retirement, not including captains and above. Due to a break in recruit classes 25 years ago and smaller class sizes at that time, no additional officers will become eligible for retirement until December 31, 2025, when four are eligible. An additional five officers will become eligible in August 2026, followed by four more in June 2027. While HPD faced challenges in increasing the total number of officers in 2024, they managed a high volume of retirements and ended the year with a positive