2007-10-19 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes October 19, 2007 Page 3 Commissioner Sumja stated that having being in the navy, he assumed that people go where they are assigned. Deputy Chief Kubojiri stated that promotional transfers are voluntary. They have a relatively young police department with families, and three to four hours traveling time, takes away from their families. They have the same problem in Kona with patrol officers. It seems that Kona will always have young officers, it's a training pool. When they have enough money to buy property, they move to some place else less expensive. Commissioner Whittemore stated that in talking with some of the recruits, the big problem is finding a place to live. It is a long commute, not something they want to do on a daily basis. If they have family in Hilo and live in Kona, and vice versa, and if they don't have family to stay with, they have to pay housing for both sides. He asked about a dormitory situation. He asked that the department ask people in Kona and Kohala what their hardships have been. Deputy Chief Kubojiri stated that they don't know where a person comes from until they pass the written and agility test. Housing has been a concern for many years. During recruit training, they are technically not yet an employee of the county. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that they need to have the department lobby funds to help recruits to live in Hilo during training. They need to look at something -- subsidy, housing, whatever is easier. They are willing to go to bat for the department, and they want them to retain the recruits. Commissioner Whittemore stated that this is a small investment in the beginning. They need to look at the budget. They should let the commissioners help lobby people so they can more actively recruit in the community. They want to help the process. Commissioner Sumja stated that they should use the commission to back them up before the council. Deputy Chief Kubojiri reported that yesterday was their second session for the cadet program. They started with ten people, but one person from Kona opted out. They are getting paid but probably using all their money for gas. Some of them are full time students or have full time jobs. Two are from West Hawai'i and the rest from Hamakua and Hilo. They have incentives for college reimbursements. Deputy Chief Kubojiri stated that he and the Chief just attended the International Association of Police Chiefs Conference in New Orleans. There were thousands of police chiefs and executives from across the country. A lot was focused on personnel issues that they are currently experiencing. They need to be proactive in addressing issues. Recess was called at 10:00 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:15 a.m.