2008-02-15 Police Commission Minutes

Home

Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes February 15, 2008 Page 2 CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Henry Tavares summarized the written report. • Traffic: Assistant Chief Henry Tavares summarized the written report. In response to Vice Chair Whittemore's inquiry regarding seatbelt citations, he stated they enforce the law equally for both local residents and tourists and do not keep statistics of where people are from. • Personnel: Assistant Chief Paul Ferreira reported that they have not lost or gained any personnel since the last meeting. They just put in a request for captain in North Kohala. The process will take until about April. • Finance: Assistant Chief Paul Ferreira summarized the written report. The budget for 2008 -09 was submitted to the commission. • Commendations: Chief Mahuna thanked the commissioners for attending his 35 -year anniversary luncheon. Chief Mahuna reported receiving four commendations since the last meeting, two in Hilo, one in Puna, and one in North Kohala. Captain Marshall Kanehailua will be receiving a commendation from the U.S. Attorney's Office for Operation Capsize. It was major drug take -down with forty plus arrests. It had fingers on the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, and the mainland. • Other Departmental Activities. (Response to questions by commissioners.) Chief Mahuna stated that monies from asset forfeiture can be used for equipment and training. They cannot use the money to supplant unrelated areas. A.C. Ferreira stated that officers will go through Taser re- qualification training every two years. Ninety percent of officers are now trained in Taser use. Chief Mahuna reported that the County Council has a resolution for incentive for referring people to apply for hard to fill positions. There is also some talk about providing housing allowance for police offices. People always ask why they can't keep officers in Kona. It's an economic issue. East Hawaii is more affordable to live in and own a home. Chief Mahuna stated that he is taking the Commission's advice and will be visiting other stations quarterly. Today, he will be at the Kona station to talk to the people and answer questions. The Halehalewai station is close to completion. They just received funding for the countertops.