2007-04-20 Police Commission Minutes

Home

Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 20, 2007 Page 3 • Traffic: AC Pacheco reported that they have an unmarked vehicle working on Route 190 enforcing the no passing zones. They may do the same thing for speeders in the area going south of the Kam III Road. Work has started on Halehalewai, and they expect it to be completed by June 1 . • Personnel: Police Chief Mahuna reported having 14 civilian and 63 sworn vacancies. They are trying to be innovative in their recruitment efforts. He believes television advertisement has helped. The County Council wants to increase the starting pay for police recruits. Nationally, pay is ranked third in concerns. Maui is paying for moving costs. It is really hard to recruit, and it is also difficult to retain people. This is a national problem. A lot of people are leaving after 25 years of service. Chief Mahuna further reported that they are still looking for a location for the new South Kona station. The Puna station will have to move to another location because it was initially built for 12 people, and they now have 60. This is in their supplemental request. • Finance: (Report given during committee reports.) • Commendations: Chief Mahuna reported receiving nine commendations since the last meeting, involving forty employees. This reflects the department's core values and team work. • Commander's Meeting Minutes of March 15, 2007: No discussion. • Other Departmental Activities Chief Mahuna reported that their "Hawai'i's Most Wanted" television program has been well- received by the public. Major Enanoria, the host, is very articulate and is doing a good job. The pilot program of having laptops in vehicles is working well. They were given $1 million for marked cars, and will request another $1 million for next year. Arrests have been made in the Hookena incident that made the national news. AC Pacheco and Captain Apele have put together a package for crime reduction. They won't let this get out of hand. People should feel safe when they go to a beach park. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Correspondence 07-11, final draft of suggested improvements to the Police Commission's investigative process: Commissioner Whittemore moved to defer this matter to the next meeting. Commissioner Politano Steckel seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.