2011-06-24 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 24, 2011 Page 3 ➢ Training by Dr. Kimo Alameda: Chief Kubojiri reported that Dr. Alameda will hold a training session on July 8 at 9:00 a.m., for two hours, in the Police Department's training room. It will be for recruits and individuals with issues that concerned the commission and the department. He encouraged the commissioners to attend and asked that they call his secretary to confirm their attendance. He further stated that this resource is in their backyard and suits their schedule. As it stands, it is an opportunity missed. He is still exploring different things. The main thing is they want to get their employees trained. Commissioner Ignacio stated, for the record, that from experience, Dr. Alameda is the best. The issue is political. It would be poor stewardship on their part not to pursue further training by Dr. Alameda. Commissioner Sumja stated that there is nothing political about Dr. Alameda. He wants to go on record as saying that they want this training to happen. Commissioner Ono stated that after the article came out in the paper, he talked to Chair Mende, the Chief, and then Rick Flickinger of West Hawaii Today. Flickinger said if they had a noncompetitive bid, it would not have been an issue. The problem was that the person was a campaign manager for the Mayor. If a request for proposal went out, there would be no problem. The paper didn't question the Police Chief's ability to enter into the agreement; it was that it involved the Mayor's campaign manager. Commissioner Ono further stated that they need to help fix this. This upsets him because it undermines the commission's efforts. Chief Kubojiri stated that it is not so much about the individual, but more about training for their personnel. Whether or not the newspaper editor thought there were improprieties, they were just looking at training for their personnel. He wasn't looking at it as the mayor's campaign manager, but rather the best training for their personnel. Deputy Corporation Counsel Lugo stated, for clarification, that the law recognizes that training is unique. There is special exemption for unique training. They are allowed to contract directly with the trainer. To not proceed could have been a management decision of not appearing improper. Commissioner Sumja stated that he wants the "powers" to know that they want Dr. Alameda to provide more training. Vice Chair Victorine asked Deputy Corporation Counsel Lugo to draft something to that effect for them. Commissioner Ignacio stated that Dr. Alameda's style is exactly what the department needs. It would be a disservice to the department not to get him.