2004-02-12 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes February 12, 2004 Page 3 COMMISSIONER DE SILVA stated that that their purpose at this meeting is to make their recommendations to the department and SHOPO, not to negotiate with them. He reviewed the draft and clarified questions that the commissioners had. COMMISSIONER BERSTCH stated that he has a tremendous amount of trust in the police department and IA to do investigations. If the commission feels that IA did not do a good job, then they could refer it to their investigator. COMMISSIONER DE SILVA stated that he reviewed the IAU files and found the commission's investigative reports prominently in the files. The investigators relied on the commission's investigations. He believes that the current system is fine, but wants the ability to look into the files. VICE CHAIR MANAGO motioned to vote for Proposal #1. Commissioner de Silva seconded the motion. Discussion: COMMISSIONER MOE spoke against the motion, stating that Proposal #2 has a lot of opportunity to do a good job. COMMISSIONER BERTSCH spoke against the motion. He stated that they have faith in IA. Proposal #2 has a cleaner approach to handling it, and leaves less to subjectivity. VICE CHAIR MANAGO stated that being independent of the police department is very important. If they use an independent entity, citizens cannot say the police department had a hand in their decision. COMMISSIONER BERTSCH stated that they are not eliminating the arm of the private investigator. They are actually gathering more information by using IA as a tool, then exercising their ability to privately investigate. VICE CHAIR MANAGO stated that the majority of their decision will be based on what IA tells them. That is an arm of the police department. Their decision should not be an influence of the police department. An independent arm would give the citizens a better feeling of not having an influence of the police department. In previous administrations, there was a perception of them protecting their own. He's not dealing with personalities. He's dealing with concepts. The motion carried with ayes by Commissioners Frazier, de Silva, Mitchell, Manago, and Lambeth. Commissioners Bertsch and Moe vote nay. CHAIR HARA stated that once the procedures are set, they would like to have it published and made available at every police station.