2004-04-16 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 16, 2004 Page 5 Chief Mahuna stated that Solutions 2004 is a good idea. The police department needs to get more involved in community efforts to try and help people to police themselves. Chief Mahuna asked for the commission's assistance in getting the county council to approve an increase in police officers. He wants to start the accreditation process which will take 2 -3 years. He will need six full -time people to work on it, but he cannot short patrol by pulling officers to do the work. They are also working seriously on the South Kona and Puna stations. Chair Hara asked Chief Mahuna to get together with his leadership and incrementally come up with their needs and timeline. The county council will not have money to fund the entire package in one fiscal year. If they know what is needed, it will be easier for the commission to lobby their council member. Chief Mahuna asked for the commission's assistance in getting a document from all the police commissions supporting the constitutional amendment to Megan's Law. Perhaps this could be a topic for the commissioners' meeting next month. Chair Hara reminded the commissioners of Police Week May 10 -16 and a ceremony on Wednesday, May 12, at 11:00, at the Hilo Police Station. Deputy Chief Kubojiri introduced the Captain Steven Guillermo, the new commander of North Kohala. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Correspondence 04 -9, Darlene Tomel's request to withdraw her Complaint HPC 03 -31. Chair Hara stated that they would like to have a written withdrawal from the complainant. He asked Chief Mahuna for their assistance in contacting Ms. Tomel who was recently incarcerated on Maui. In the meantime, they will again have to defer her request for withdrawal. Commissioner Frazier asked to put a cap on the timeline if every effort is made to contact her. Chair Hara stated that they will defer this for another month, and if they are unable to contact her, they could accept her telephone request for withdrawal. NEW BUSINESS • Correspondence 04 -10, Corporation Counsel Ashida's comments on the commission's Recommendations for Improvement to the Disciplinary System of the Hawaii County Police Department. Commissioner de Silva motioned to defer this to the next meeting in Waimea. Commissioner Frazier seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Correspondence 04 -11, from Corporation Counsel Ashida regarding a prohibited practice complaint filed by SHOPO. Vice Chair Manago motioned to defer this to the next meeting. Commissioner de Silva seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. • Correspondence 04 -12, from Commissioner de Silva requesting an inquiry into the alleged attendance of two Hawaii County Police Commissioners in a proceedings of the Administrative Review Board. Commissioner de Silva stated that his motion is on file and is a public record, so he will not read the entire motion. However, he amended the motion to read as follows: