2013-11-15 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes November 15, 2013 Page 2 been recovered from pawn shops. Spikes usually occur with known burglars who have to be put behind bars for it to stop. Traffic report by area, category, and trends: AC Kealoha reported that traffic accidents have been reduced island-wide. There are common areas and times for accidents in South Hilo, and TEU is focusing in those areas. They did an aggressive campaign on the new Saddle Road in the initial month, and many citations were issued. Saddle road encompasses three different districts and is now a commuter road. Commissioner Bertsch stated people in Kona are being more proficient in avoiding the known DUI check points. He asked about borrowing light towers so they could set up check points in other areas. AC Kealoha stated that placing road blocks in other areas could be a challenge. Personnel report on vacancies, recruitment, training, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, and work assignments : AC Kanehailua reported having 39 sworn vacancies, not counting the 28 recruits in class. A PO I testing is occurring to establish a list. The sergeant’s exam will be in November. Three intergovernmental transfers are going through the application process. They have 28 recruits finishing week 13. This recruit class will be the first to have culture sensitivity and aloha training. Regarding civilian vacancies, they just filled a word processing clerk position. School crossing guards are a difficult position to fill, and nothing has changed. In response to questions, AC Kanehailua stated that their largest number of people up for retirement will be in 2015-2016. The trend for retirement has been in the mid-level supervisory positions. The new contract is pretty good, and he doesn’t think many will retire. The recruitment process takes about two years from testing to hitting the road. Finance report of budget and expenditures: AC Kanehailua reported that they are adjusting their salaries and wages to pay for the pay raises that were awarded to SHOPO after the budget was approved. It was an unfunded pay raise. Overtime wages are creeping up, but they are trying to balance their accounts. They submitted a draft of their budget. Commendations of sworn and civilian employees: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that they received 6 commendations involving 8 employees since the last commission meeting. Last evening, at a banquet at Nani Mau, Chief Kubojiri was recognized by Hope Services for his services to the community. Other departmental activities: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that when they look at the number of recruits to hire, they look at their budget and request funding for temporary positions in anticipation of filling vacancies. Regarding retirements, they can make predictions, but things can change. The new contract is very beneficial for their members. If the Legislature changes the retirement benefits, there could be an exodus. Anyone in fire or police hired after July 2012 will have to work for 30 years,