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;f f <br /> Honorable Pudding Lassiter and Members of the <br /> Hawai'i Police Commission <br /> Honorable Lawrence K. Mahuna <br /> May 24, 2006 <br /> Page 6 <br /> Summary <br /> To summarize, we respectfully recommend the Commission consider the <br /> following as it embarks upon an assessment of the current process of reviewing <br /> citizen complaints: <br /> • Identify the most effective means for the Commission to fulfill its Charter- <br /> mandated responsibility of"investigating" complaints against the police <br /> department or its officers. We have recommended the most effective <br /> means is a complete investigation conducted by HPD Internal Affairs. <br /> • Dialogue openly with the police administration on working towards an <br /> efficient method of having citizen complaints promptly and thorough <br /> investigated by HPD Internal Affairs, and having a summary presented to <br /> the Commission at its monthly meeting for oversight purposes. The <br /> Charter mandates that adequate resources be afforded the Commission. <br /> This may be an opportunity to increase personnel in Internal Affairs or <br /> other needed areas of the Police Department. <br /> • Openly discuss (and allow for public input on any) proposed changes in <br /> the citizen complaint process. <br /> • Evaluate the philosophical and practical bases of the independent police <br /> auditor legislation. Are there positive aspects that may be incorporated in <br /> any investigatory or oversight processes of the Commission? <br /> • If a new process is developed, consider preparing a report for the Office <br /> of the Mayor and Hawaii County Council, outlining the process that <br /> includes (1) a thorough investigation into allegations of police misconduct, <br /> (2) comprehensive oversight by the Commission, and (3) safeguards in <br /> place to find out and address any form of corruption. <br /> I look forward to fully discussing this matter with the Commission and <br /> police administration when the matter is brought forward for discussion. <br /> Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. <br /> Very truly yours, <br /> LINCOLN S. T. ASHIDA <br /> Corporation Counsel <br /> Encl. <br /> S: Boards/Police/LSA Corresp./Leiter to Comm.re suggested improvements to investigation process 5-24-06/LSAmr <br />