2007-08-24 Police Commission Minutes

Home

Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 24, 2007 Page 4 Commissioner Kaoiwi commended the police department for the recent marijuana in bust in Kalapana. Chair Lassiter complimented Chief Mahuna on his presentation at the last commanders' meeting. His message was very heartwarming. Momi Cazimero reported on the status of the police memorial for fallen officers. She submitted an outline of her ideas and briefly summarized it. She would like to have the memorial in an area accessible and visible to the public. She is concerned about vandalism and suggested placing it at the entrance to the police station in the open lanai area. Commissioner Politano Steckel stated that she and Commissioner Robinson would work with her. Recess was called at 10:30 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:50 a.m. INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF COMPLAINTS EXECUTIVE SESSION (closed to the public) Commissioner Robinson moved and Commissioner Whittemore seconded to meet in executive session to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii County Police Department where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and a closed session is requested and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues that pertain to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92 -5 (2) and Hawaii County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). The motion carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:51 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:36 p.m. STATEMENTS ON COMPLAINTS JILL RITTER (Complaint HPC 07 -24) stated that she was assaulted by seven or more officers at Pahoa 7 -1 1 . Her life has not been the same since March 31. She has neuropathy in her hands from being in handcuffs for over three hours. She was in hiding for ten days because she was scared. She was diagnosed with Bells Palsy from being slammed on the car door. She would like to have an investigation. Would like to know how many officers threw her around like a rag doll. They need to be held accountable. Her complaint is against Officers Lee Loy, Mohica, and Leite. There were seven or ten officers there, maybe more. Sharon Warner, her mother, showed photos of her injury. She also gave the commission her journal. JOEL VELEZ (Complaint HPC 07 -40) stated that he's going through a divorce, and he had his children for the weekend. He has child visitation through the YMCA. He was at