2002-02-22 Police Commission Minutes

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February 22, 2002 Minutes — Regular Session Page 3 NEW BUSINESS • Status report of current and past budgets and its effects on the police department. Commissioner Manago summarized his written report. He expressed concern that due to many years of a status quo budget, the department has suffered. Antiquated equipment has caused backlogs in investigations. Some districts are under - manned and under - supervised. At times Kau has no supervision. He recently visited the Puna station and was shocked to see the condition of the building and the very poor conditions the officers have to work with. The Puna station should be completely renovated or they should get a new building. Due to funding, he questioned whether they would get more manpower or a new building. Commissioner Kama stated that he has visited the Puna station many times, and they need both. Commissioner Manago asked for the commission's support in bringing the budget concerns to the County Council on March 15. Commissioner Mills moved to accept and support Commissioner Manago's report to the County Council. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hara and unanimously carried. • Complaint HPC 02 -01: Complainant Nathan Shafer alleged that the police were called following an incident at a bar in Hilo. They threw him against his car and he hurt his arm. Commissioner Mills moved to defer the complaint to the next meeting in order to allow the officer to respond. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambeth and unanimously carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION: INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF COMPLAINTS Commissioner Lambeth moved to meet in executive session to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii County Police Department where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and a closed session is requested, and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, and liabilities. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Hara and unanimously carried. The commission convened into executive session at 12:00 p.m. and reconvened back into regular session at 12:45 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Complaint HPC 02 -02: Complainant alleged that during a traffic stop in Kona, an officer called him stupid in front of his kids and threw the citation at him. Commissioner Mills moved to accept the complaint for further investigation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lambeth and unanimously carried. • Correspondence 07, request by SHOPO to rescind and withdraw the commission's report and findings in Complaint HPC 00 -42. Commissioner Lambeth moved that Corporation Counsel Ashida will respond for the commission, and that the commission will not rescind its decision. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Hara and unanimously carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Okabe asked the commissioners to turn in their chief of police evaluation form within the next two weeks. He also announced that the next meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2002, at the Hilo Police Department. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:48 p.m. SUBMITTED: APPROVED: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY WILFRED M. OKABE, CHAIR