2006-01-20 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 20, 2006 Page 3 • Finance: Accountant Kay Nishibayashi entertained questions to the written report; there were none. Commissioner Frazier commended Chief Mahuna and his staff for managing their personnel and staying on top of their budget. Commendations: Chief Mahuna reported receiving nine commendations in the past month. He stated that their report of discipline to the legislature was printed in the newspaper, but what the newspaper failed to mention was that they had 115 commendations of officers who acted above and beyond their duty. All of this has to do with their core values. They have been putting emphasis on 90 -day cases because they need to serve the community. When someone reports a case, it should go somewhere, and that is why a lot of individuals have been disciplined for that infraction. When someone is suspended for more than 15 days, they are doing it over and over again. It all comes down to their core values and mission statement. They try to monitor this. Unfortunately, some of the discipline involved a criminal act. Chair Lassiter stated that she would work with Commissioner Politano Steckel to get the commendations in the newspaper. Commissioner Politano Steckel stated that it's feasible for people to work together as "Friends of Hawaii County Police Department" to raise funds for media releases. The Police Department can't do it all by themselves. • Commander's meeting minutes of December 21, 2005: No discussion. • Other departmental activities: Chief Mahuna reported that they are working on the records management with Honolulu, the Mayor's office, and the West Coast. A lot of their crimes involve property crimes, and a lot of the property ends up in Honolulu, California, and Washington. They will soon start a pilot program of wireless RMS. Commissioner Mitchell reported that the Volcano substation would be ready in a week. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Selection of Vice Chair for 2006: Commissioner Kaoiwi nominated Commissioner Melvin Morimoto as Vice Chair. Commissioner Morimoto accepted the nomination. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that this would allow them to have representation in both East and West Hawaii. A roll call vote was unanimous for Morimoto as Vice Chair. Recess was called at 10:40 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:50 a.m. INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF COMPLAINTS ERROL HELENIHI (Complaint HPC 05 -07) stated that he just wants to know why the officer did what he did. While driving home from a church outing, he approached a flare on the roadway. An officer waved his flashlight, so he went forward. He assumed the officer was waving him on. The officer threw the flashlight at his windshield and it broke. They went to the Laupahoehoe station, but no one was there. So, they went to he Hilo station. He spoke to the desk sergeant who told him that all police officers were busy, no one was there, and to come back the next day. Broken class cut one of the children who was sitting in the front seat. His girlfriend, who was in a separate car, took the child to the hospital. He went home. Officers showed up at his home about two hours later. His complaint is