HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0427.001 1998-2000 ~~..o..~, CFFICE OF THE
LEGISLA?~;f~ .'''~!~ITCR wayneG.Carvatho
Stephen K. Yamashiro o• ' ~ Police Chief
Mayor 99 AUG 27 APt 9~ 25
• . _ James S. Coaea
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POLICE DEPARTMENT
349 Kapiolani Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3998
(808)935-3311 Fax (8081961-2702
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August 26, 1999 On ~
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Ms. Constance R. Kiriu " 3
Legislative Auditor
Office of the County Clerk ~ _ ~
County of Hawaii °
°
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Ms. Kiriu:
I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to review and respond to your report entitled
"Special Study on Federal Grants 96-DB-13 and LOA 97-39 to the Hawaii County Police
Department Funding Marijuana Eradication." What follows are the Department's response and
concerns.
First, it is my understanding that the Department has provided you with all the information you
requested except for two items. The items are:
1. Copies of Evidence and Property Receipts for Counter Cannabis Field Operations
conducted in Area II (West Hawaii). Copies of the E/P Receipts will be routed to
your office under separate cover.
2. As of Thursday, August 26, 1999, we had not received any receipts or
acknowledgement for 15 letters we sent via registered mail on August 12, 1999, to
persons who had called the Department to complain about Counter Cannabis Field
Operations. Per our verbal agreement, if we receive no response by Friday, August
27, 1999, we will not pursue a response from residents we sent letters to.
Comm. No. ~ •
File No. /eE~/
Ref. To: ~ C
Ref. Date AUG 2 Z Il~~
Constance R. Kiriu
August 26, 1999
Page 2
As for the discrepancy between the figures we previously supplied on the number of plants
eradicated during County Cannabis Field Operations and the total plant count indicated on the
Evidence and Property Receipts, we explained the differing totals to your satisfaction in our
memorandum of August 24, 1999 (enclosed).
The report noted that although the "Police Department has executed all performance
requirements," there is a "lack of well-defined and quantifiable measurements and benchmarks."
The report correctly notes, however, that "federal implementation of a newly developed
Performance Management of Effectiveness (PME) System should address this concern in the
future." The Department stands ready to comply with all future requirements and is confident it
will fulfill any federal effectiveness standards.
In response to your concern that marijuana samples were submitted to the University of
Mississippi Cannabis Project, we had a verbal agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration that we would submit only unusual samples. In 1998, for example, a strain of
Afghan marijuana was confiscated on a Department of Land and Natural Resources mission, and
a sample was sent to Mississippi. Even though your report noted that submission of all samples
"was not considered important by DEA," we intend to submit all samples in the future.
We also intend to take the following actions on the report's suggestions and recommendations:
• The report recommended a "written conciliation procedure for the daily tally of
marijuana plants eradicated by Task Force personnel during field missions." Such a
written conciliation procedure will be added to the Department's "Procedures for
Marijuana Eradication Operations.
• The report suggested that "Procedures observed for the tally of marijuana plants
confiscated during field missions, including its final disposal, be incorporated into the
Hawaii County Police Department's written 'Procedures for Marijuana Eradication
Operations."' We will add these procedures, included in the Police Chiefs
Memorandum 98-50, dated May 1, 1998, into the written procedures.
• The report also suggested that the Department "encourage the member agencies of the
Statewide Marijuana Eradication Task Force to address the accuracy, thoroughness
and consistency of program report data." The Department has no authority to enact
such a policy unilaterally, but it will bring the matter to the attention of other
members of the Task Force.
Constance R. Kiriu
August 26, 1999
Page 3
Should you require further assistance, please contact Lieutenant Henry Tavares of our Vice
Section at (808)961-2253.
Sincerely yours,
WA E G. CARVALHO
POLICE CHIEF
WGC:whd
Enclosure