2017-05-19 Police Commission Regular Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 19, 2017 Page 2 burglaries which are being committed by a group of individuals. They are arrested but then released; it's a vicious cycle. These individuals are aware of the police department's pursuit policies. They have increased their task force unit to apprehend these individuals. Commissioner Carlson asked about some sort of relief with car thieves being caught and then released. Assistant Chief Tavares stated that judges release them, and they can't do anything about it. The public in Puna and Ka'u want more officers. Crime in the Volcano area, which has spiked, is being committed by the same individuals. Individuals have been identified and caught, over and over. He doesn't know if they need more prison space. Commissioner De Luz entered at 9:11 a.m. Commissioner Carlson asked about having the Mayor create a task force or perhaps some sort of research that could assist with this problem. Commissioner Buckman asked if the other islands have the same issues. Assistant Tavares stated that he didn't know about the other islands. Their pursuit policy is always being reviewed. He can't see where it could be improved. They have to have a balance, and he believes they do. • Traffic Report: Major Wagner reported that as of May 3, 2017, they had 1,166 traffic crashes, 30 traffic fatalities, 28 DUI fatalities, and 965 DUI arrests. For the month of April 2017, 5,644 citations were issued: 4,022 moving/regulatory, 455 seatbelt, 31 child restraint, and 1,136 for speeding. Two days ago they had two more traffic fatalities. • Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that they have only one sworn vacancy. They just started the 86th recruit class with 16 recruits. They also started the recruitment process for the 87th recruit class. The 85th recruit class will graduate next month. They started with 14 recruits, and now have only 6. They are not looking to just fill vacancies, they want quality individuals, and they want the best. The recruitment process is a weaning out stage. The physical aspect of the training weeds out a lot of people. They are going through PO III recruitment. They have a pretty good list of quality candidates for the sergeant's promotion. The lieutenant's list is also being completed. They agreed with the union to allow them a month to study. Their public relations specialist position has been filled. Dispatcher vacancies were all filled, but then two dropped out. School crossing guard recruitment is never ending. It's difficult to retain them because they only work two hours a day. • Finance Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that their overtime budget was cut, and so every district is now over its overtime budget. The new budget has additional overtime cuts, again. In the budget hearings, the Chief told the County Council that if something happens, they have to respond. He believes the overtime trend will continue to the end of the fiscal year.