2003-08-22 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 22, 2003 Page 6 Chair Hara reported that the Honolulu Police Commission has a brochure that explains the Internal Affairs Department. Chief Mahuna stated that they could not stop those instances where the patrol officer or the sergeant is the first contact. They are rewriting the General Orders, and it will be incumbent on the desk person to report to the commander. External complaints have been addressed. He sees the value of a brochure. If the public does not trust the police department, and they don't have another avenue, they are truly at a loss. They are trying to have their commanders take responsibility and having people act within their mission and core values. Commissioner Bertsch stated that they need checks and balances. They need a fair and clear -cut process, and the person at the desk has to explain the process. Chair Hara stated that they will have the ARB presentation in open session at the October meeting. Correspondence 03 -75, from Commissioner Paul M. de Silva requesting discussion of General Orders 804, Use of Force. Chair Hara state that the department has made revisions for the commission's review, and copies will be distributed. Correspondence 03 -72, from Commissioner Paul M. de Silva concerning the need to evaluate the handling of complaints of misconduct. Chair Hara reported that he received the Chief's written response to Commissioner de Silva's concerns, and copies will be distributed. Commissioner de Silva stated that he was impressed to hear that the Chief had already worked on this. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner de Silva moved to meet in executive session to discuss Complaint HPC 03 -08 which was discussed at the previous meeting. Commissioner Muller seconded the motion and the carried unanimously. The commission convened into executive session at 3:50 p.m. The commission reconvened into regular session at 4:10 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Investigation and Deliberation of Complaints. Complaint HPC 02 -64: Complainant was involved in a traffic stop. She alleged that she had the proper paperwork and that the officer's speeding caused the incident. Akal investigated the complaint. Commissioner Lambeth moved to exonerate the officer on the charges of standard of conduct, performance of duty, falsification of