2008-08-22 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 22, 2008 Page 2 • Office Management and Staffing (Lassiter / Morimoto): No report. • Rules and Policies (Behenna / Sumja): Commissioner Sumja stated that the committee will meet monthly to review the rules and recommend possible amendments. They expect the process to be completed by the spring of 2009. Commissioner Behenna stated that the revisions will be presented to the Corporation Counsel, the Chief, and the commissioners for review. He asked the commissioners for input by November 1. The written report was submitted for filing. • Contractual Services (vacant): No report. • Public Relations /Information (Lassiter /Behenna): No report. CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: AC Tavares reported that for the month of July 2008, the department received 8,643 calls for service. Up to July 2008, there were 740 serious crimes. Areas I and II Criminal Investigation Units investigated 192 of those cases, 100 in Area I and 92 in Area II. Commissioner Behenna stated that he is interested in rates and asked for the population of Area I and Area II. Assistant Tavares stated that he didn't know what the numbers were. Vice Chair Whittemore stated that police department's geographic delineation is not consistent with the county's districts. Commissioner Behenna stated that if the department could put together reports with insight to trends, it would be very helpful. Vice Chair Whittemore stated that he likes pictures; graphs are great and stand out. He will work with AC Tavares and his staff to start this. AC Tavares suggested that they call him prior to the meeting with questions that need to be researched. He further stated that all crimes are investigated. Patrol officers complete investigations that do not meet the criteria for being referred to Criminal Investigation Section. The Criminal Investigation Unit investigates the more serious crimes such as thefts over $300 and murder. Sex assaults will go to the Juvenile Aid Section. Noisy neighbors will go under miscellaneous service calls. • Traffic: AC Pacheco stated that, as requested at the last meeting, the written report was revised. Citations were down, probably due to recruits on other assignments. Commissioner Behenna stated that he would like to see breakdowns in various age groups, including 65 +. He is looking at trends. AC Pacheco stated that he will see if their system can provide the information. In response to Commissioner Sumja's inquiry into criteria for driver checks, AC Pacheco stated that if a driving impairment is reported to them, they can direct the matter to Traffic Services. They could ask for medical certification. He reiterated that it has to be brought to their attention. Commissioner Morimoto pointed out the high number of speeding citations in Kona. AC Pacheco stated that the Traffic Enforcement Unit is supervised by one person in Hilo, and the numbers are not separated by districts. Vice Chair Whittemore asked if there was a program in