2025-10-24 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Regular Session Minutes October 24, 2025 Page 3 Patti Cookthanked community members for their engagement and noted the widespread public concern regarding immigration enforcement. She urged the commission to ensure that immigration-related issues are included in the Police Chief selection process and interview questions, and requested that interviews bebroadcastpublicly. She expressed appreciation to the Interim Chief for clarifying that the department will not cooperate with ICE or accept federal funding tied to immigration enforcement. She encouraged the commission to maintain that stance going forward. Cook also inquired about the purpose of the proposed PIG (Permitted Interaction Group) and suggested it serve as a forum for ongoing dialogue between the department and the community. Terry McDonald introduced himself as a local leader with Indivisible and thanked the Police Department for its professionalism during a recent peaceful demonstration in Hilo. He noted that the County Council unanimously passed Resolution 320-25,affirming due process and constitutional rights for all residents. McDonald emphasized that the next Police Chief must uphold and implement the principles of this resolution and that these standards should be incorporated into departmental conduct. He stressed the importance d that the Police Department ensure those rights are extended to all residents, including lawful immigrants. Ricky Torres thanked the commission for allowing him to speak and reflected on his service as a Vietnam veteran who fought for constitutional rights. He expressed concerns Kea, Kamehameha Schools, and Governor Green’s plans for Pohakuloa. He concluded by asking commission members if they abide by the rule of law. Ruth Robison thanked the commission for its service and spoke regarding the Police Chief selection process. She requested that candidate interview questions include topics on enforcement or accept federal funding tied to such collaboration. She emphasized that cooperation with immigration enforcement could create financial and legal risks and erode public trust. Robison urged the commission to prioritize transparency and accountability by addressing these issues in interviews and making candidate interviews publicly accessible both in person and via Zoom. (Recess was called at 9:54 a.m., and the meeting reconvened at 10:07 a.m.) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES CommissionerYamada motioned to approvethe regularand executivesession minutes for September 19, 2025,seconded by Commissioner Lacerte. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously, and the minutes were approved. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Items from the chief’s written reports were highlighted: