2008-06-20 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 20, 2008 Page 4 Commissioner Behenna stated that he recently went on a ride -along on the third watch. They seemed to encounter a high degree of people with mental illness. He asked if the police have done any study on this and if they are trained about encountering people with mental illness. AC Tavares stated that they are trained to deal with all types of people. Commissioner Behenna stated that this would be a good training issue. • Traffic: AC Tavares reported on a traffic fatality whereby a lone vehicle lost control and overturned on Route 190 between the 18 and 19 mile markers. Commissioner Sumja inquired as to why Hamakua has the lowest numbers for traffic. AC Tavares stated that AC Pacheco has been addressing this. Commissioner Kaoiwi stated that racing down Railroad Avenue has started up again during the time of watch change, and he asked that they look into this. • Personnel: AC Ferreira stated that Chief Mahuna is on vacation and Deputy Kubojiri is ill. They do train officers in recruit class on mental illness and mental health issues. This also involves issues involving returning military personnel that have documented problems. More recently, they have been looking at starting additional in- service training for officers. He asked the commissioners to direct any resource instructors to them. They have 46 sworn vacancies in the field, although 21 are in recruit training. All districts now have captains. All lieutenant positions will be filled on July 1. The sergeant positions should be filled by September. They want to go to the County Council for additional positions. Twenty people will be eligible for retirement at the end of the year. Dispatch is fully staffed, although they will have one vacancy at the end of the month. • Finance: AC Ferreira stated that they are at the end of their fiscal year, and will expend the majority of their funds. The next budget has not been approved by the Mayor's office, and it has to go back to the County Council. The bond went through, and the South Kona and Pahoa police stations were included. Vice Chair Whittemore asked for the CIP report by district so that the commissioners could push for them. • Other Departmental Activities: ➢ AC Ferreira reported that the roof repair of the firing range has been completed. The leaks on building A and B have been fixed, but they will see for sure in the next rain. ➢ Commissioner Behenna stated that during his ride - along, he rode in a new blue and white. He is concerned about the lack of visibility, blind spots, behind the car. This is a safety issue, and he asked that they consider this visibility when