2005-06-17 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 17, 2005 Page 5 NEW BUSINESS • Required notification to complainant of the commission's findings in an investigation: At the previous meeting, Commissioner Politano Steckel requested that they provide more information to the complainant than what is currently given. Commissioner Steckel stated that one additional sentence could explain how the commission came to its decision. Chair Bertsch stated that he would look into this and take suggestions from the other commissioners. • Kauai Police Commission Minutes of March 18, 2005 listed under correspondence: Commissioner Frazier stated that the Kauai Police Commission will be using Hawaii County's police chief evaluation form in their evaluation process. They should send a letter to the Kauai Police Commission that they are looking at revising the evaluation form so that it would have a range rather than an absolute number. Chair Bertsch requested that Ms. Pelayo send a copy of the Chief's current evaluation form to all the commissioners for suggested changes, and they would discuss it at the next meeting. • Preparation for Police Chief Mahuna's semi - annual evaluation and review of his goals which will be done in July: Chair Bertsch stated that this matter is on the agenda because he wanted to give the Chief and the commissioners a little heads up that they would be doing a semi - annual evaluation of where the Chief's at and what's going on with his goals, CALEA, and other things they have been discussing. From this, they could provide him with direction and encouragement. This would be an ongoing opportunity for commissioners to provide feedback to the Chief. The annual evaluation form, which they will be revising, will be used for the Chief's evaluation at the end of the year. The semi- annual evaluation will be agendized for the next meeting. The commissioners will be given a copy of the Chief's goals and the current evaluation. Input can be given to either him or Ms. Pelayo. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Complaint HPC 05 -03: Complainant's motorbike was stolen. He alleged that he doesn't know what's going on with the investigation. Commissioner Frazier moved and Vice Chair Lassiter seconded that they exonerate the officer. The motion carried unanimously. Corporation Counsel stated that if they were to include additional language, it would make more sense to give a reason for the exoneration in the motion. In the case of a sustained complaint, it would be different because it may involve discipline. It is the commission's responsibility to explain the reason for the action. At Corporation Counsel's request for an opinion, Chief Mahuna stated that people come to complain about an officer, and the commission could give more information other than plain exonerated. Commissioner Lundkvist questioned what was wrong with just the definition of the word. An explanation could get lengthy. Chair Bertsch stated that the commissioners would be given a copy of the four form letters for review and suggestions.