2005-10-21 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes October 21, 2005 Page 4 EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Mitchell moved and Commissioner Frazier seconded to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii County Police Department where consideration of matters affecting privacy would be involved and a closed session is requested and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92 -5 (2) and Hawaii County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). The motion carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 11:20 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:50 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Revisions to the Chief of Police evaluation form. Chair Bertsch stated that he was under the impression they would use the Fire Commission's format. Commissioner Frazier stated that the evaluation form needs to be tweaked, and they need to have a rating range. Commissioner Robinson stated the document is more complicated than it needs to be, and it asks for judgment on subjects they may not be comfortable about. Chair Bertsch stated that he would like to remove the numeric rating and just give statements on things the chief has done, the positives, as well as areas that need improvement. Commissioner Morimoto stated that in looking at the chief's status report on his goals, he wouldn't be able to use the current evaluation form. Chair Bertsch appointed Commissioner Robinson to the Committee on Office Management and Staffing and asked him to make suggestions to the chief's evaluation form and have it distributed to the commissioners prior to the next meeting. • Commissioner James Frazier requested discussion on a newspaper article that the Kauai Police Department overspent its annual budget. Commissioner Frazier suggested that they all pay attention to the budget reports. Chair Bertsch stated that this commission is probably the most powerful in this county, and they need to read their paperwork. NEW BUSINESS • Public hearing held at 9:00 a.m. (prior to this meeting) on amendments to the commission's rules. Suggested amendments: The commission shall submit an annual report to the managing director, the regular monthly meeting shall start at 9:00 a.m., and the classifications of case findings will be sufficient evidence or insufficient evidence. Chair Bertsch stated that action was taken at the public hearing. Corporation Ashida stated that the revised rules do not go into effect until the Mayor signs it. • Correspondence 05 -53, from a concerned and frustrated police officer. He expressed concerns about the moral and feelings of the patrol officers due to shortages in personnel and the dramatic increase in workload. The officer gives suggestions on how to deal with the problems they are facing. Chair Bertsch stated that this is an unsubstantiated, anonymous correspondence and that the commission should not take any action. Even the newspaper will not accept unsigned,