2006-11-17 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes November 17, 2006 Page 2 COMMITTEE REPORTS • Budget and Finance (Frazier /Morimoto): No report. • Office Management and Staffing (Lundkvist /Mitchell): No report. • Rules and Policies (Kaoiwi): No report. • Contractual Services (Robinson): No report. • Public Relations (Lassiter /Politano Steckel): Chair Lassiter reported that Detective Ann Mejia was recently inducted into the Hawaii County Hall of Fame. She will be retiring and then teaching at the University on juvenile instruction. Commissioner Frazier stated that a few years back he found it very difficult to have police personnel teach classes at the University in West Hawaii. Chair Lassiter reported that at the commanders' meeting, Chief Mahuna made a presentation to Detective Mejia, and she was very, very appreciative. CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Day reported having 20 robberies in the month of October. They have been successful in solving some. There were no questions to the written report. • Traffic: Assistant Chief Pacheco reported that the DUI arrests were at 32 %. They will be doing speeding, DUI, and seatbelt check points. A substation will open at Halehalewai. • Personnel: Assistant Chief Osorio reported that the 68th recruit class graduated this past Wednesday. The 691h recruit class is still under way with nine members. The 70th class will start in December. They would like to start another class in the spring, if they can get additional viable applicants. Commissioner Whittemore stated that in reading the minutes of the other county police commissions, they are looking into incentives. Maui is looking into bonuses. AC Osorio stated that that is a contractual matter. They may look into incentives for housing and tuition waivers. About 30 -40% of the recruits come from the west side. Commissioner Politano Steckel stated that in past year, many of the complaints were about human nature. She asked if training could be given in self - control. They need to look at a situation from someone else's eyes. Someone who is drunk will do something over and over again. AC Osorio felt the training was sufficient. He stated that the key is experience. Most of their line officers are new, and a lot of the complaints involve new officers. They will learn from it. Commissioner Frazier stated that if you mingle with the officers and the rank in the different stations, you will see the good that is being done and the fine people in the police department. He admires the training, which is on the right track. The department is doing a good job in bringing in young people.