2025-11-21 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes November 21, 2025 Page 3 • Personnel Report (Assistant Chief Bird): As of October 31, 2025: o Sworn: 99 field vacancies. Factoring in 4 from the 103rd recruit class, 13 from the 104th, and 12 from the 105th, there are 70 unfilled sworn positions. 423 of 493 positions are filled (86%). o Civilian: 118 of 161 positions are filled (73%). o Communications: 17 vacancies for PCO 1/11 (23 filled); 0 vacancies for Supervising PCO (5 filled). o Assistant Chief Bird provided an update on recruitment activities. • Finance (Assistant Chief Bird): As of October 31, actual overall expenditures were 41.63% (target 36.85%). AC Bird noted that miscellaneous salary expenditures are high (500.91 %) due to hazard payouts pending reimbursement from County Finance. • Other Activities (Interim Chief Mahuna): The department promoted traffic safety through numerous outreach efforts in the past month. At Honoka`a High School, students created a large traffic -safety mural while Ken Nishimura of Keep It Flowing spoke about the impacts of fatal crashes. Area II TEU officers held a Healing Our Highways vigil on October 30 in Kona and Waikoloa. Traffic Services Manager Torey Keltner appeared on Na Leo TV's traffic safety campaign, with additional department personnel scheduled for KITV and KHON2 to discuss holiday traffic safety. The department will increase enforcement during the holidays. Officers assisted the Food Bank with distribution and traffic flow, provided candy safety tips during Halloween events, and participated in trunk -or -treat and other outreach activities for keiki and kupuna across the island. Interim Chief Mahuna emphasized that community outreach is essential for long-term impact. Commissioner Yamada asked about addressing reckless driving following recent fatalities. Chief Mahuna discussed the balance between targeted enforcement and community education. Commissioner Urban -Smith suggested incorporating a cyber unit to address online postings of reckless driving, etc. • Commendations and Awards: Interim Chief Mahuna reported on several recent awards, including Officer of the Month and Quarter awards, and five commendations involving 15 personnel. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: POLICE CHIEF SELECTION PROCESS Michelle Simmons with the Department of Human Resources (DHR) reported that 65 applications were received. After review, 27 applicants met the minimum qualification requirements. Notices have been sent to the qualified applicants.