2008-04-18 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 18, 2008 Page 4 Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that they need to get the ball running now because they only have four years to 2012. Once the FCC says they cannot use the system, they're dead. Firearms: Chief Mahuna reported that they are looking at changing their standard 9 mm to possibly a higher caliber, but slower moving. He wants a weapon with less vicarious liability. Driver's License: Chief Mahuna reported that Driver's License will be moving to County Finance. Once they move out, Police Finance will take over the area. Recess was called at 10:17 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:34 a.m. INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF COMPLAINTS STATEMENTS ON COMPLAINTS (open to the public) NIMBUS CLAY (Complaint HPC 08 -05) stated that he just went to his primary physician who is going to do a nerve damage test. A police officer should not treat a civilian in the manner he was treated. There was one officer who was a standby person, but he holds her responsible as well. The police officers involved did not handle this properly. They dragged him down the stairs and put him in the car. Commissioner Lundkvist asked for his exact complaint. CLAY stated that they beat him up, primarily Officer Jelsma. The officer slammed him against the screen door and put handcuffs on his feet so he couldn't walk down the stairs and then threw him into the vehicle. He was afraid of falling down and cracking his teeth. He works for a destination management company and has to look good in the public eye. He saw Dr. Gingrich who is part of the police commission. Dr. Gingrich motivated him to make the complaint. While in jail, he was not given his medication. The other day he was brushing his teeth with his electric toothbrush, and it fell out of his hand. He is angry. He was a little inebriated. He came home, and his roommate was doing drugs. He expects an apology and disciplinary action. He didn't pick a fight with the police officers. Ms. Iwamoto was just watching, but he holds her accountable for not stopping the situation. Officer Jelsma roughed him up, resulting in scars, injuries, and fracture. He begged the hospital to take x -rays, but they wouldn't. He went to court with bandages on his head, arm, legs, and feet. He looked like a mummy.