2003-05-16 Police Commission Minutes

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HAWAII COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 16, 2003 OHANA KEAUHOU BEACH RESORT CALL TO ORDER Chair Hara called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Horace S. Hara, Chair Dwight K. Manago, Vice Chair John M. Bertsch, Member Paul M. de Silva, Member Phoebe M. Lambeth, Member Betsy Mitchell, Member Walter Moe, Member Peter P. Muller, Member A quorum was present. Also Present: Lawrence K. Mahuna, Police Chief Harry S. Kubojiri, Deputy Chief Lincoln S. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary Absent: James A. Frazier, Member APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Lambeth moved to add to the agenda Correspondence 03 -44, request for legal counsel by Officers Roger Kalua and Manuel Benevides in CV 03- 00203; Correspondence 03 -45, request for legal counsel by Officer Roylen Valera in CV 03 -1 -0082; and Correspondence 03 -46, request for legal counsel by Officer Marshall Ney in CV 03 -1 -0082. Vice Chair Manago seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Commissioner Lambeth moved to approve the agenda as amended. Vice Chair Manago seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS - Open to the public LESLIE TUET read a letter that he distributed to the commission. He stated that more officers are needed to enforce the laws, and taxes need to be raised in order to hire more officers. There are many traffic problems, and laws for giving drivers' licenses should be made stricter. In response to Mr. Tuet's statement, Vice Chair Manago stated that they have requested additional funding, and the Traffic Enforcement Unit has increased their presence. THOMAS RUSSI asked if he would be allowed to play a tape recording and asked for the difference between giving the commission a piece of paper and playing a tape. He has a complaint against another board for violation of the Sunshine Law. He recommended that police officers tape record statements. Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that it would be all right to listen to the tape if it was agendized. If it were slanderous, he would advise the commission not to listen to it in open session. Tape recording of statements by police officers is an operational matter and not within the commission's jurisdiction. He could consider bringing it up with the police chief. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS — Closed to the public (executive session)