2008-06-20 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 20, 2008 Page 8 Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that he is not advocating that they get adversarial because the public doesn't differentiate between the police, SHOPO, the administration, and Crime Stoppers. Everybody looks bad. SHOPO is taking the hit. They're saying, "If these guys get these cars, then they better give back their car allowance." The uniformed public doesn't understand that the car allowance is part of what is negotiated in collective bargaining to make up for some of the shortfall for the salaries that the county can't afford to pay. Everybody knows and appreciates that they are underpaid. INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF COMPLAINTS STATEMENTS ON COMPLAINTS — None EXECUTIVE SESSION (closed to the public) Commissioner Kaoiwi moved to meet in executive session to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii County Police Department and to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues that pertain to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92- 5 (2) and Hawaii County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). Commissioner Sumja seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:35 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 3:40 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • HPC 08 -08: Complainant alleged that during an investigation of a disturbance in his neighborhood, officers went onto his property without a search warrant, invaded his privacy, violated his civil rights, and abused their police power. Commissioner Morimoto moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations. Vice Chair Whittemore seconded the motion that carried unanimously. • HPC 08 -12: Complainant alleged that officers trapped him into a DUI arrest. He also alleged that he sustained scrapes, bruises, and road rash and was endangered when he was transported with criminals. Commissioner Sumja moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations. Commissioner Morimoto seconded the motion that carried unanimously. • HPC 08 -13A, B, C, D, E, F, G: Complainant alleged that while attempting to leave a parking lot area, an officer put him in a headlock and sprayed him with pepper spray. Commissioner Behenna moved to defer the complaint to the next meeting in order for the commission to review a recording of the electronic control device. Vice Chair Whittemore seconded the motion that carried unanimously. • HPC 08 -14: Complainant alleged that while in her driveway looking out for traffic, an officer sped down the road and then came to a screeching stop. He gave her a