2007-08-24 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 24, 2007 Page 5 South Point when he saw his wife there. She has a TRO against him. She came up to his car, broke her own TRO, and started yelling at his girlfriend. Her boyfriend wanted to fight and started swinging at him. A fisherman broke it up. There were two cops up the road, and he went to them to make a complaint, but they wouldn't take it because the officers are friends of John Masters. He also told them to arrest John Masters for DUI and no child seat, but they wouldn't do it. So, he drove to Hilo that night to make the complaint. His wife and her boyfriend made a counter complaint two weeks later. This incident occurred days after he tried to get a TRO against his wife, but the judge denied it. DAVID SHINN (Complaint HPC 07 -29) stated that an officer asked him questions then came in room. Asked him to sign paper. Said Jim Cubic said you point finger like pointing gun. Officer asked for social security number. Officer asked him to sign paper. He said he couldn't sign because he didn't read. Said see you in court. Officer did not explain signing the paper. He never met the officer before. STEVEN STRAUS (Regarding Ms. Ritter) questioned the commission's investigative process. Deputy Corporation Counsel Masuda stated that it is like screening. If the board thinks there is sufficient evidence, they may refer the complaint to the police for an investigation. JOSEPH SUDOL (Complaint HPC 07 -30 and HPC 07 -31) showed photos of his injury as a result of the incident. He stated that he went to Starbucks for coffee. He saw these guys, who looked at him. He went to his car, and saw these guys outside. He was scared, so he went around the building to go inside. He was tackled and he knew his face was going to hit the pavement. He yelled and yelled and was told to shut up. He did not know he was an officer of the law. When he was cuffed and on the ground, then he knew the man was an officer of the law. He found out what he was arrested for when he went to court. This all happened for traffic violations. Commissioner Kaoiwi asked if he received medical care when he went to the cellblock. Sudol stated that the officer who arrested him gave him medical assistance. He did get medical care in the beginning. The paramedics were waiting when he got there. Before he was processed, he went to the hospital. Internal Affairs was also called, and they showed up at the hospital. COUNCILWOMAN EMILY NAEOLE stated that she didn't realize she was going to meet up with all these people and then saw all the police officers. She is a mother and a councilperson, and she takes very serious what's going on. Jill Ritter is one of the people from her community. She heard what happened, and then she heard what