2006-06-16 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 16, 2006 Page 3 the additional staff. Commissioner Kaoiwi also expressed concern that the Hilo firing range would be shutting down soon, and they need to do something about. Betsy Tranquilli of West Hawaii Today asked that the department give her information on things to write about. Commissioner Frazier expressed concern over the need for additional staff and inquired as to whether requirements such as shorthand were obsolete. Chief Mahuna stated that it is obsolete, and they have downgraded the clerk stenographer position because they have not been able to get people who can take shorthand. Finance: Accountant Kay Nishibayashi entertained questions to the written report. The fiscal year ends this month. Commissioner Whittemore questioned whether they would lose unused funds such as gang or drug monies at the end of the fiscal year and if they would get less money the next year if they didn't use it all. Chief Mahuna stated that those items are funded by grants from the federal government and their fiscal year ends later on in the year. They would not get less money. Commissioner Whittemore inquired whether they could use another source, such as the National Guard for marijuana eradication. Chief Mahuna stated that the National Guard is not law enforcement, and he does not want to jeopardize their chain of custody for evidence. • Commendations: Chief Mahuna reported receiving twelve commendations since the last meeting. Chief Mahuna reported that Operation Capsize, done on the east side of the island, was a high impact operation. He commended all the officers who participated. They netted 20 lbs. of ice and recovered over a million dollars in cash. They took down some major drug dealers who will be prosecuted federally and could spend 25 -30 years in prison. They are now seeing that people are reluctant to sell ICE, and cocaine is now on the rise. The law now is making it harder for people to obtain over the counter pseudoephedrine. The majority of ICE is imported. He commended the team for doing a Title III wire tap. Commissioner Frazier commended Chief Mahuna for his presentation at the monthly staff meeting. His commendation report should have also included the commission's commendations of staff who assisted with the State of Hawaii Police Commissioners' Conference. Deputy Chief Kubojin announced that Officer Myra Iwamoto of the Hamakua District and Acting Sergeant Dayton Tagaca of the North Kohala District were nominated as Officer of the Month for the North Hawaii, Public Safety Committee.