2004-01-AU Hawai‘i County Police Department Vehicles

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In response to these recommendations, the 1972 HCPD report proceeded to analyze five options for " operati ng and/or mai ntai ni ng a pol i ce fl eet," as fol I ows: 1. Privately -owned fleet 2. County -owned fleet 3. Combi nati on of pri vale and county -owned f I eet 4. County -I eased f eet 5. Rei mbursement on a mi I eage basi s The study noted that the " present system of uti I i zi ng pri vale -owned vehi d es for patrol work dates back to the inception of motorized patrol in this County" and asserted that the "most effective means of providing police services [to both urban and rural areas] is by motorized patrol." The study's stated objective was " to determi ne the most effi ci ent, equi tabl a and effecti ve means of provi di ng motori zed pol i ce servi ces i n the County of H aNai ` i ." At the ti me of the 1972 study, some 201 pol i ce personnel drew automobi I e al I owances, rangi ng from $50 to $110 per month. A ddi ti onal I y, the County furni shed gas on the basi s of one gal I on for every 10 mi I es of off ci al travel, one quart of of I for every 500 mi I es of offi ci al travel, and publ i c I i abi I i ty and property damage i nsurance. The combi ned costs [al I owances, $247,680; i nsurance, $23,836; gas & of 1, $83,057] for the pri vale pot i ce fl eet duri ng the 1972 f scal year total ed $354,573. I n assessi ng the advantages and di sadvantages of a pri vatel y -owned fl eet, the 1972 study provi ded the f rst of many subsequent " pro and con" statements, as fol I ows: "Advantages I n cases of emergency, the department al ways has a I age vehi cut ar patrol force ready to move immediately. 2. Standby cars are not needed as i t i s the offi cer' s responsi bi I i ty to obtai n a repl acement shout d hi s vehi d e become i noperabl e. 3. There i s no need for storage faci I i ti es to house vehi d es when not i n use. 4. There i s no need for a mai ntenance fad I ity, stockroom for parts, mai ntenance staff, d eri cal staff, fleet supervisor, etc. 5. Off -duty personnel i n thei r radi o-equi pped vehi d es may take necessary or desi rabl a pot i ce acti on when warranted. 6. The department does not i ncur expenses for accessories other than two-way radios. 7. The H aNai ` i Pot i ce Department i s rated [ no ci tali on gi ven] among the safest pot i ce f I eets i n the nati on. Thi s i s attri butabl e, at I east i n part, to the fact that the off cers operate thei r own vehicles and are f ami 1 i ar with its handling qualities and i di osyncrad es. Then, too, the off cers are more cauti ous and do not take unnecessary ri sks because they operate thei r own vehi d es and woul d suff er personal I oss i f the vehi d e i s damaged. Adverse Effects (To County) 1. Creates a moral a probl em due to i nadequate al I owances. 15