2002-08-30 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 20, 2002 Page 5 Personnel: Major Chai summarized the written report. Finance: Business Manager Maesato read his written report. Commendations: Acting Chief Mahuna reported receiving six commendations. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS • Chief of Police Selection Process: Review and approval of timeline, job description and vacancy notice, application form, HRS 78 -1 (b) requiring a one -year residency for appointed department heads, the Attorney General and Corporation Counsel's opinions on HRS 78 -1, and Hawaii County Charter Section 7 -2.3 and 7 -2.4 outlining the requirements of the chief of police and his duties. Chair Okabe informed that written information of this selection process was available to anyone who wanted a copy. He asked the members to review and approve the timeline. Commissioner Moe moved that the commission postpone the timeline until the issue of salary compensation had been properly addressed and finalized. There was no second, and the motion died. Commissioner Lambeth moved to approve the timeline. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Manago. Discussion: Commissioner Lambeth suggested that they move the application deadline to October 7 instead of September 30 in order to have at least ten days from the date of the last advertisement to the application deadline. Commissioner Moe stated that the salary commissioner would be meeting on September 20, and at that time they would know what the chief's salary would be. It would be a sham to put incorrect information in the newspaper. The present salary rate precludes a whole layer of officers from this department from participating. They should wait until after they hear from the salary commission. Chair Okabe stated that at this point they are looking at the timeline, and that's the motion on the floor. As far as the salary commission is concerned, there is no guarantee that the salary commission would accept their proposal. He would like to proceed with the timeline. Being that there were no other changes, he stated that they would change the application deadline to October 7. Vice Chair Hara asked that they delete the testimonies scheduled for December 6. He would like to have one testimony each in East and West Hawaii. When he attended the fire commission hearings, the finalists had a chance to make a presentation to the public on their goals, objectives, and philosophies. He would like to recommend that they do that for East and West Hawaii during the testimony period. This would give the public an opportunity to meet the candidates as well as to listen to their goals and objectives.