2011-01-28 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 28, 2011 Page 3 • Other Departmental Activities: Chief Kubojiri reported that they have about a dozen sergeant vacancies. Filling the vacancies will depend on the budget. An issue is their long recruiting process that takes almost two years from the first test to hitting the road. Chief Kubojiri reported that they conducted a second community survey on their website in December, and the results are on the website. There were common public concerns about reconstructed vehicles, large and lifted trucks, tinted windows, lack of professionalism which Mr. Greenwell touched upon, curt and unfriendly tone of dispatchers, and a myriad of other things. He gave the survey to his Assistant Chiefs to see if it is applicable to their departments, whether it's a training issue, miscommunication or lack of communication. We do not have reconstruction laws for vehicles. They intend to analyze the survey and get back to the community on what they are doing. Their intent is to improve the police department. Regarding Mr. Greenwell's statement, they try to promote professionalism. The contact people have with the police is not always under the best circumstances, and they are there to address some problem. They are held to a higher standard. They try to nip it in the bud when they get wind of it. The legislative session has commenced, and the law enforcement coalition has bills to tighten up the language of certain laws. Commissioner Ono expressed concern about funding for security when the APEC conference comes to Honolulu in November, and heads of states visiting the Big Island. Chief Kubojiri stated that it would add a huge dollar amount. They have not gone out to seek additional funding. A lot of the dignitaries come with their own personal security. They don't have any itineraries. Last year there was talk about other county police departments assisting Oahu. NEW BUSINESS Police Department's presentation on proposed South Kona police station. Major Kealoha stated that he and Assistant Chief Kanehailua are working with Public Works on the new police station. They are in the design stage, and 1.4 million was appropriated for the design. It is mauka of the Mamalahoa Highway and the Fire Department's Captain Cook station. Access would be a problem. It will be a two -story complex with a 10 -lane firing range on the second floor. They intend to provide firearms training for West and East Hawaii. Operations and a training room will be on the first floor. They will have a 24 -hour receiving desk that will meet all CALEA standards. They should have the design finalized sometime in mid 2011, and it will then be sent out for bid. They won't know the costs until the bids come out, and no funds have been appropriated for the building. The holding cell is designed for two adult males, two adult females, one juvenile male, and one juvenile female. Commissioner Ono stated that there definitely is a need for a South Kona Police station. However, members of the community have brought many issues to his attention. The