2025-08-22 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Regular Session Minutes August 22,2025 Page 2 Traffic Report: Major Thomas Shopay reported that as of August 13, 2025,traffic crashes for the fiscal year to date were82 compared to 70 for the previous fiscal year. DUI arrests totaled 74, down from 83 last fiscal year, but up 7% from June (69) to July (74). Island-wide traffic citations included 3,677 moving/regulatory, 362seatbelt, 19 child restraint, and 1,107 speeding, for a total of 5,428 citations issued during the reporting period. Commissioner Buckman noted a concerning rise in traffic fatalities on Oahu. There was further discussion regardingaccidents and safety issues related to e-bikes,safety requirements,as well as ongoing education and media campaigns. Vice Report:Captain Edwin Buyten of the Vice Narcotics Division reported that in July 2025, the division executed more than 50 search warrants, resulting in 38 felony arrests and a total of 131 offenses. Seized items included over four pounds of methamphetamine, five grams of cocaine, a quarter pound of black tar heroin, one gram of fentanyl, 500 fentanyl pills, seven pounds of processed marijuana, three grams of MDMA (Molly), nine grams of psilocybin, 12 LSD pills, 3.2 grams of ketamine, and approximately 152 illegal or seized prescription pills. The report led to adiscussiononthe dangersassociated with fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the community. Personnel Report:Assistant Chief Sherry Birdreportedthat as of July31, 2025, there nd were 86sworn vacanciesin the field. After accounting for 5recruits from the 102 rdth recruitclass, fourfrom the 103recruitclass, and 15 from the 104recruit class, the department currently has 62 actual positions unfilled. Currently, there are 23positions filled and 16vacant for police communication officers, and four supervising police communication officer positions filled, with one vacancy. Overall, the department has filled 431of 493 sworn positions (87%) and 117of 161 civilian positions (73%). AC Birdprovided an update on recruitment activities, recruit classes, and ongoing recruitment efforts. Finance: AC Birdreported that as of July 31, 2025, HPD'soverall expenditure target was 12.50%, with the actual expenditure at 12.93%.Regularsalaries and wages were at 11.01%, overtime salaries and wages at 46.97%, and miscellaneous salaries and wages at 17.48%. Other Department Activities:Acting Chief Mahuna commended West Hawai'i detectives for their teamwork with Arizona authorities in the first-ever Turquoise Alert, which resulted in the safe recovery of a missing child in just five hours. He also highlighted