2012-01-20 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 20, 2012 Page 2 COMMITTEE REPORT Report from the committee formed for the purpose of reviewing the Police Department’s Vision/Mission Plan. Chair Ono stated that they had a lot of difficulty getting four people at one place at one time, so they decided not to have a meeting. He talked to the committee members and topics of interest were training for officers in customer relations, the South Kona police station, and plans for a new shooting range. Committee members are Commissioners Ignacio, Victorine, Sumja, and himself. Corporation Counsel Ashida suggested that they not have the Chair and Vice Chair of the commission on this committee. He also suggested that they put this item on the next agenda and start from scratch with regards to membership. (Commissioner Ignacio entered at 9:15 a.m.) CHIEF’S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Including: Crime: Assistant Chief Henry Tavares summarized the written report. Commissioner Sumja asked about the spike in sexual assaults. AC Tavares stated that there was no cause for concern. Traffic: Assistant Chief Kealoha summarized the written report. During the December meeting, there was an inquiry about enforcement on impeding traffic and cell phone use. They have addressed both issues and have had media campaign on the use of cell phones. Personnel (Including, but not limited to work and training assignments, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, automobile allowances, and appointments.) Chief Kubojiri reported that they have 19 sworn vacancies. Two hundred twenty- nine applicants passed the police officer written exam. The agility test is scheduled for later January. On the average, 10-14% of those who take the written exam become finalists. They could handle 25-30 recruits in a class. It is hard to handle a larger class because they want individualized attention. Chief Kubojiri reported that the lieutenant’s written exam is scheduled for March. They agreed with SHOPO to provide them the title and author of the books that the testing company uses to construct the questions. The sergeant/detective promotion process will start in March. Deputy Chief Ferreira reviews the written exam before it is administered because often times they find questions applicable to mainland states that have laws that we do not have. Chief Kubojiri explained the safeguards in the hiring process. He does not see the names of applicants during the hiring process. He only sees the names when it is time to hire them. They have 23 civilian vacancies, 10 of which have been defunded. Six vacancies are dispatchers. Both of their civilian IT positions have put in for retirement in April of this year. It will be tough to fill the positions because of the government pay scale versus private industry.