2006-05-19 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 19, 2006 Page 3 CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Day entertained questions to the written report. He explained that some of the high theft figures could be the result of a checkbook being stolen and each individual check being recorded as a theft. The high statistics for Area I could be attributed to the larger population. • Traffic: Assistant Chief Nakamichi entertained questions to the written report. Commissioner Frazier stated that he found AC Osorio's letter regarding high rise vehicles to be very interesting. AC Nakamichi stated that there is no reconstruction law, but there are safety laws. Chief Mahuna stated that the reconstruction ordinance was repealed because police officers are not experts in the safety of a vehicle. Motor vehicle inspectors do the inspections. Some people will go in for an inspection with standard -sized tires and then change them later. He wants the reconstruction law re- enacted. It is a legislative issue. Assistant Chief Nakamichi recognized Officers Michael Hardy, Russell Sakata, and Paula Jelsma for being selected Officers of the Month by the Kona Crime Prevention Committee. Personnel: Assistant Chief Osorio reported having 65 sworn vacancies. Seventeen new recruits will be on the road in June. They expect the vacancy to be in the single digit at this time next year. He explained the different tests and checks given to each applicant. It is a very long and vigorous process, the most rigorous in the state. Civil Service does continuous recruitment. They participate in every college and high school job fair on the island and on other islands. Interviews for the captains' positions were done. Vacancies do not include the additional personnel opened up by the County Council. Their biggest concern now is in dispatch. He thanked the commissioners for appearing and testifying before the County Council against the independent police auditor bill. He also thanked Corporation Counsel Ashida for explaining the position. Chair Lassiter congratulated the Police Department for the publicity in the newspapers. Commissioner Robinson congratulated the Police Department for their participation in the Merry Monarch parade. Chief Mahuna stated that in their recruit efforts, they have gone to Charminade College and the University of Hawaii. They are also working on the cadet program. There are individuals who want to be a police officer, but they have to have the right traits. He is very careful about hiring someone. Even if they are short in staffing, he would rather hire the best people. To put it in a sports sense, he doesn't want a bench warmer. As far as he is concerned, the community needs excellence. They want people who believe in their core values. They spend about $100,000 in training recruits, so he wants to be sure his investment pays off. He is a firm