2014-02-21 Police Commission Regular Minutes

Home

Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Minutes February 21, 2014 Page 3 Commendations of sworn and civilian employees. Deputy Chief Ferreira reported receiving 8 commendations involving 28 personnel since the last meeting. Other departmental activities. Regarding concerns about the use of the blue lights, AC Kanehailua reported that GO 807 covers this. They do in-service training and officers are tested and reminded on the use of the blue light. AC Tavares said there are occasions when an officer is permitted to turn his blue light off, but he would have to get permission from his supervisor. AC Kanehailua said officers are allowed to drive to and from work without the blue light on. This is especially noticeable around 10:00 p.m. when they get off. Chair Bertsch said there are concerns that officers are doing traffic stops without any blue lights on top. AC Tavares said the Traffic Enforcement Unit does not have blue lights on top of their car, but they have yellow movement lights inside the car. Per General Orders, an officer needs to get his supervisor’s permission to turn the blue light off. AC Kanehailua said they are upgrading to a bar light. AC Tavares reported that the Chief has requested that commanders have in-service training on subjects as telephone courtesy, report writing, etc. Chair Bertsch stated that they received a copy of a letter to the Chief concerning the distance the CPO in Papaikou has to cover. ACs Kanehailua and Tavares were not familiar with the letter and will respond to it at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS Discussion on Committee Assignments. Chair Bertsch stated that Ms. Pelayo informed him that they stopped putting committee reports on the agenda unless there is something to discuss. He thought the rules required them to have committees. Corporation Counsel Ashida said the rules permit them to have committees, but it is not required. They are allowed to have two commissioners assigned to a committee. Commissioner Ono said they used to have committees on the agenda, but they always had nothing to report. They found it beneficial to discuss items with the commission as a whole rather than two people discussing it initially. If a committee has something to discuss, they would bring it up with the Chair for agendizing. Chair Bertsch said he is comfortable with the status quo but wants the commissioners to think about it. He would like to leave this item on the agenda for next month if anyone has other thoughts. Update on State of Hawai‘i Police Commissioner’s Conference April 24-25, 2014. Chair Bertsch reported that Commissioner Schutte, Ms. Pelayo, and he met with personnel of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. An agenda has been established.