2025-05-16 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Regular Session Minutes May 16, 2025 Page 3 Budget Review: Chief Moszkowicz presented the department’s budget review, originally shared with the County Council’s Special Finance Committee. He explained the budget process, noting the mayor proposes a preliminary budget inMarch, followed by a finalized version in May. If not adopted or amended by the County Council by June 30, the May budget becomes law on July 1. The presentation included FY25 highlights and FY26 objectives, such as recruitment goals (up to 470 sworn personnel), expanded training, increased grant funding, targeting drug trafficking organizations, school partnerships, website improvements, and implementation of automated customer service software. Key FY26 priorities include adding sworn positions, facility upgrades, community support, recruitmentand retention-focusedrebranding, and best practice initiatives. The department identified ongoing needs, including a training sergeant, training staff, additional vehicles, two IT positions, and dictation software. Council’s first reading is scheduled for May 22, with the second on June 5. Other Department Activities and Updates:Chief Moszkowicz reported that a community meeting was held on March 3 to discuss the temporary cold storage facility at Kupuna Place in Hilo. This initiative addresses the overcrowding at Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital morgues. As county coroner, the chief noted the Police Department’s role in transporting bodies involved in inquests or criminal investigations. After nearly a year of collaboration with county agencies, the temporary facility opened last week. Although the infrastructure is not fully complete, they have started transferring remains and accepting new ones. This is a short-term solution, and planning is underway for a permanent, self-sufficient facility with autopsy suites. Funding has been secured for land acquisition and planning, with additional funding expected in future years. Chief Moszkowicz reported on a homicide investigation that began shortly after midnight on March 4, involving a 25-year-old female victim. The suspect, 28-year-old Isaiah Fourshey of Mountain View, was located later that day near Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. When approached by detectives and National Park Service rangers, Fourshey fled on foot, then brandished and fired a handgun at officers. Law enforcement returned fire, striking Fourshey. Medical aid was rendered,but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. No officers or bystanders were injured. As the incident occurred on federal land, the FBI has taken over the investigation. The two involved detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section have been cleared and returned to full duty. Chief Moszkowicz reported another officer-involved shooting on March 14, following a series of incidents involving suspect Christopher Lucresia. Lucresia shot and injured an officer during an encounter in Hilo, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. On March 16, he was located in Mountain View, where he fired at officers during a home invasion