HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0020.03 - Testimony - CA-6 - Discipline Police and Fire ChiefHarry Kim
Mayor
June 6, 2019
(ountp of 9aihat`i
HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT
25 Aupuni Street • Suite 2501 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 932-2900 • Fax (808) 932-2928
TO : DOUGLAS SHIPMAN ADAMS, CHAIR,
HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSION
FROM : DARREN J. ROSARIO, FIRE CHIEF
SUBJECT : CHARTER COMMISSION PROPOSED AMENDMENT CA -6
Darren J. Rosario
Fire Chief
Lance S. Uchida
Deputy Fire Chief
Thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony regarding CA -6 which proposes to
add language to Section 7-4.3 Fire Chief regarding discipline. I am in support of the proposed
changes.
This change effectively puts the oversite of the Fire Chief to the Fire Commission who is
responsible for the hiring and, if needed, separation of the Fire Chief from service. In my review
of other documents, I could not find language that removed this authority from the Mayor.
Should discipline be moved to the Fire Commission, it should concurrently be removed from the
Mayor. This will alleviate the Fire Chief from being caught in the middle of two potentially
conflicting views. Removing the disciplinary authority from the Mayor will effectively complete
any politicalizing of the position of the Fire Chief The Fire Chief will be accountable to one
body. The Mayor or anyone, can submit request to the Fire Commission for an investigation of
any complaint against the Fire Chief The Commission would then act upon the complaint by
investigating and carrying out any corrective action (discipline) as allowed under this Charter
Amendment.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this additional testimony and for the work that this
Commission has done.
Sincerely,
DARREN J. ROSARIO
Fire Chief
Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Comm. No. 20.3