2006-01-20 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 20, 2006 Page 5 Chief Mahuna stated that the evaluation is also a reflection of his staff, his team, his family, the job they have done, the many hours they have spent away from their families. He thanked the commission for the difficult task. Without his staff behind him, this could not have happened. He believes he makes a good judgment on character and picks the best person for the job. He just happens to be the head of the organization. He thanked his staff. Their core values make their dream a reality. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that Chief Mahuna has done an outstanding job. He is proud to have worked with the Chief in making the Police Department the best in the State of Hawaii. Commissioner Frazier stated that the evaluation format is different this year. The intent of the commission was to communicate the good and things they would like to see. He is extremely pleased to see the responsiveness. The mid -term review was very clear and focused. The summary of goals for 2005 and the projection of goals for 2006 were marked, quantitative, and measurable. There was a lot of clarity. He thanked Chief Mahuna for a good job. Commissioner Lundkvist thanked Chief Mahuna and stated that it was a pleasure being on the commission and having a Chief like him. She encouraged him to keep up with the good job and also his monthly radio forum. Commissioner Politano Steckel stated that it has been an honor being on the commission. She is concerned that he may have been hampered by something he has nothing to do, which is the past. It is seen in the attitudes of some people, although he seems to handle it very well. It's been an honor to know him and work with him. Commissioner Bertsch stated that it takes a super tanker six miles to stop in the open ocean. It takes eight miles to turn around or change course because the momentum of the course of that ship is not something that is easily navigated. Chief Mahuna is driving a super tanker. He has 600 people in his employ and has a $42 million budget. Making changes and setting new courses take a tremendous amount of time and cooperation. They are now seeing those changes. A lot of what he instituted when he came on as Chief, the promises he made, the vision that they hired him on, the dream that they believed in, that the Police Department could achieve under his direction, is now becoming apparent. Chief Mahuna developed the mission statement and core values, and they are publicized in the stations. He orates it at almost every Police Commission meeting, and it's in everyone of his correspondence. It transcends the morale that transcends the professionalism that sets the tone for the department as a whole. Police Commission complaints have fallen off. The department's internal employee discipline program has elevated. The Police Commission has received letters from police officers, both in favor and disgruntled. The disgruntled ones are disgruntled primarily because they are being tasked with performing their duties, and the administrative staff is holding them to it; that's their complaint. It's not a bad thing; it's a good thing. On a personal note, as the past Chair of Police Commission, he very much enjoyed working with Chief Mahuna. He has demonstrated to be true and caring for his position and the department. He knows the Chief will pass the accolades down to the department about his performance review that they all deserve, and they will all follow him as the leaders. Today is Chief Mahuna's day