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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-15 Police Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 15, 2021 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Bertsch called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. Present: John Bertsch, Chair Guy Schutte, Vice Chair Thomas Brown, Commissioner Rod Quartararo, Commissioner Donna Springer, Commissioner Anthony Sur, Commissioner Denby Toci, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Kenneth Bugado, Deputy Police Chief Chad Basque, Assistant Chief James O'Connor, Assistant Chief Brian Prudencio, Detective John Mukai, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Quartararo motioned to approve the minutes of December 18, 2020, regular and executive session minutes. Commissioner Toci seconded, and it carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES • Crime Report: Assistant Chief O'Connor reported that up through December 31, 2020, there were 3,012 serious crimes. Of those, 308 cases were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Units. For the month of December 2020, they received 8,702 calls for service - 2,347 for criminal/traffic and 6,355 miscellaneous public assistance. For crime trends, in Ka'u, burglars are targeting vacant residences and there have been UCPVs, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, taking someone's vehicle without permission. It is easier to prove than a theft because you don't have to get an estimate value of the vehicle. Homeowners are being asked to have caretakers or neighbors check their property often if they don't live there. Commissioner Sur inquired about the policy on homeless and where they can hang around, especially in downtown Hilo. He noticed more people coming around and Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 15, 2021 Page 2 hanging around businesses. A business owner asked him what the policy was because they hang around his business when he is gone. He has been having a lot of vandalism and break-ins. Patrol goes by, but nothing is being done. AC O'Connor stated that if it's private property, they shouldn't be on there. He should be calling the police non -emergency number at 935-3311, instead of sending an email to the Mayor's office or the Chief's office because that is not addressed until someone comes in and reads the email. If you see something happening right there, it should be addressed right then and not wait. Commissioner Quartararo stated that the Kona old airport area had been cleaned up nicely, and then the homeless moved in real quickly after that. Officers told them to call and let them know of problems, but then they would be calling every day. AC O'Connor stated that people should call the police so they can address it right away. HOAs can do a pretty good job of fining people for violations of their rules. Commissioner Sur asked if any citations were issued for illegal fireworks. AC O'Connor stated that no citations were issued. It's on a low priority scale. They are going to domestics, fights, and other things before the fireworks call. In his personal opinion, from society, he doesn't think people are really bothered to that extent. If the State changes its philosophy of no fireworks at all, that would be easier for them to enforce. They would have to do a better job with catching them before they come in. Commissioner Quartararo stated that his Home Owner's Association created a $500 fine in its bylaws. With the police being called, they were able to levy the fine. Chair Bertsch stated that as commissioners, they are the community representative for their district and the whole island. With regards to reporting incidents, it's important and they encourage people who come to them, knowing they are a police commissioner, to make those phone calls to the police. They look at community crime trends, and if they don't get those phone calls, then there's no trend, and there's no way for them to address it. They could also reach out to their Community Policing Officers to address their specific concerns. Commissioner Sur stated that he heard that they are down to two Community Policing Officers due to retirements and budget cutbacks. AC O'Connor stated that they have 2 CPOs in Puna and 4 in Hilo. When fully staffed, Hilo has 6 and Puna has 4. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 15, 2021 Page 3 Chair Bertsch stated that the CPO program is short around the island, especially because priority is in patrol. Although, they still have the ability to address their concerns to the lieutenant or the captain of patrol. AC 'Connor stated that community policing is a philosophy. It is an assignment. In their commander's meetings, they say that the leaves don't stay in one yard. They blow over to other areas, and that' the same within their district. If they have enough community policing officers and SROs or other people available, they could have a little unit and do some investigations or enforcement. Chair Bertsch stated, "Clean up the leaves." • Traffic Report: AC Basque reported that as of January 8, 2021, they had 375 traffic crashes compared to last year of 515. Traffic fatality is 5 compared to 12 last year. DUI arrests for the month was 92 compared to 90 last year. For the month of December 2020, 5,743 citations were issued: 4,057 moving/regulatory, 331 seatbelt, 32 child restraint, and 1,323 speeding. There were no traffic trends. AC Basque further stated that regarding the analogy of leaves, they have been hitting downtown Alii Drive pretty often this week. People move from there and go someplace else, the county park, their homeless housing next to the old DMV. They are teaming up with the people who own the new Safeway who contracted a security firm. They want to hit the vacant lot, directly south, across the street from Henry St. There is a huge population there. Once they get in there, they have to go somewhere else. Deputy Chief Bugado reported on an in -progress incident requiring the Special Response Team. Information has not yet gone public. Personnel Report: Deputy Chief Bugado reported that the Chief has promoted Major Chad Basque to AC of Area II Field Operations and Major Sam Jelsma to Assistant Chief of the Administrative Bureau. Minus those in recruit class, they have 50 sworn vacancies. As of December 31 of last year, the department has filled 89.6% of their sworn positions and 83.3% of civilian positions. Both the 91 st and 92nd recruit classes are in solo assignments. The 91 st recruit class will end their initial probation on March 15 and the 92nd on August 18. The 93rd recruit class has 22 in academic training and will start FTO on February 16. They need to conduct background checks for 19 people for various positions. When that is done, they will work on background checks for the 94th recruit class. With the promotions of the Assistant Chiefs, there will be a domino effect of vacancies for majors, captains, lieutenants, and so on. Sergeants in their communications sections doing the background checks for the dispatchers. An administrative sergeant and officer are doing some of the background checks as well. Police officers and dispatchers Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 15, 2021 Page 4 require very extensive background checks which includes contacting neighbors and doing employment checks. They have 75 people in the recruit pool to check on. Finance: Deputy Chief Bugado reported that for FY December 31, 2020, their overall target expenditure was 52.42%, and the actual is 50.88%. S&W target was 54.17% and actual is 53.72%. Their actual budget for the FY 2019-20 was $67,652,366. Their approved budge for 2020-21 is $72,091,319, which includes a 10% overall budget reduction. The have used CARES funds for items allowed such as PPE, equipment, and training. Commendations: Deputy Chief Bugado reported having two commendations involving three personnel since the last commission meeting. Other Department Activities including: ✓ Annual Misconduct Report to State Legislature: Chair Bertsch reported that recent legislation passed to release the names of officers who were suspended or terminated. Deputy Chief Bugado reported that a lawsuit was filed by the police union, resulting in their counsel advising them to submit the report without including the names of the officers until the court case is settled. Some cases from 2019 were adjudicate 2020 and are in the report. Some cases from 2020 not yet adjudicated are not in the report. He did not note any trends. However, there were several violations for the use of force. When the choice to use deadly force is made, they have to do a thorough review. The results are in the legislative report. In response to questions, Deputy Chief stated that there has been an increase in females in their recruit classes, and they do really well. The bodyworn camera program is going pretty much as expected. They had issues with three cameras and had to send them back. They had good feedback from officers. There have been several incidents because everything is happening quickly, and they forget to turn the camera on. The recording is downloaded every day. Leading up to the inauguration, there has been a lot of talk about what could happen at state capitals. There has been good intelligence sharing amongst the inter -county criminal intelligence units, and they are confident that they will be okay here. Recess was called at 9:45 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m. CHAIR'S REPORT ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMISSION Commissioner Sur distributed information regarding oversized or modified vehicles. Chair Bertsch asked the commissioners to review it, and they can decide if they want to pass it on to the Chief. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 15, 2021 Page 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioners Brown motioned to meet in executive session to consider charges against officers or employees of the police department where matters affecting privacy will be involved, to work on the evaluation of the Police Chief, to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety, and may consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Springer seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:05 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 11:28 a.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Complaint HPC 20-37: Complainant alleged that officers were rude, angry, and didn't help her when they responded to a landlord/tenant dispute. Commissioner Brown motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations. Commissioner Quartararo seconded, and it carried unanimously. Complaint HPC 20-42: Complainant alleged that an officer was rude and unprofessional when responding to a landlord/tenant dispute. Vice Chair Schutte motioned to continue the complaint to the next meeting. Commissioner Springer seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Bertsch announced that the next meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2021, 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: JOHN BERTSCH, CHAIR