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Home My WebLink About2025-01-24 Police Commission Regular Minutes HAWAI`I POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2025 WEST HAWAI`I CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING A, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA, HI CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Robinson called the meeting to order at 9.07 a.m. Present: John Bertsch, Vice Chair Arthur Buckman, Commissioner Eileen Lacerte, Commissioner Rod Quartararo, Commissioner Anthony Sur, Commissioner Jacob Tavares, Commissioner Absent: Rick Robinson, Chair A quorum was present. Also present: Benjamin Moszkowicz, Police Chief Reed Mahuna, Deputy Chief Chad Basque, Assistant Chief Scott Amaral, Major Sherry Bird, Major Tuck Loy Aurello, Captain Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Deputy Corporation Counsel Charisse Correa, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS None. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner Tavares motioned to approve the regular and executive session minutes for December 20, 2024, seconded by Commissioner Quartararo, with no discussion, it carried unanimously, and the minutes were approved. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Items from the Chief's written reports were highlighted: • Crime Report: Major Amaral reported 2,971 serious crimes through December 31, 2024. Area I and Area II criminal investigation units investigated 386 of these serious crimes, with 255 in Area I and 131 in Area II. • Calls for Service: In December 2024, the department received 9,943 calls for service. Vice Chair Bertsch asked about fireworks-related calls and statistics. Major Amaral responded that he did not have the statistics available at the moment. Hawai'i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 24, 2025 Page 2 • Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Basque reported there were 486 traffic crashes this fiscal year, compared to 415 last year. Traffic fatalities are at nine, compared to five the previous year. DUI arrests are at 480 compared to 461. In December 2024, there were 75 DUI arrests, compared to 85 the previous month. In December 2024, 3,612 citations were issued, including, 331 for seat belt violations, 32 for child restraint violations, and 1,303 for speeding. • Personnel Report: Major Sherry Bird reported a total of 84 sworn police vacancies in the field. After accounting for 13 recruits from the 100th class, 15 from the 101 st class, and 11 from the 102nd class, the department currently has 45 unfilled sworn positions. Currently, there are 25 positions filled and 13 vacant for police communication officers. All five supervising police communication officer positions are fully staffed. Overall, the department has filled 443 of 484 sworn positions (91%) and 125 of 159 civilian positions (79%). Major Bird reported PO I recruitment activities and continuous recruitment efforts. The 102nd recruit class currently has 11 recruits in academic training until May 17, 2025, having initially started with 12 new hires on November 18, 2024. The 101st recruit class has 15 recruits in academic training until January 31, 2025, after beginning with 18 new hires on July 16, 2024. The 100th recruit class has 13 recruits in Field Training Officer (FTO) assignments until January 31, 2025, originally starting with 17 new hires on April 1, 2024. The 103rd recruit class is scheduled to begin on March 17, 2025. A total of 27 candidates passed the written test, and 28 participated in the agility test, including retakes. • Finance: Major Bird reported that HPD's overall expenditure target was 44.73%, with the actual expenditure at 43.94%. The target salaries and wages were 45.83%, with the actual at 46.67%. Regular salaries and wages were at 40.59%, overtime salaries and wages at 150.66%, and miscellaneous salaries and wages at 82.25% • Commendations & Awards: Chief Moszkowicz reported receiving five commendations involving eight personnel since the last commission meeting in recognition of exceptional service. Additionally, Officer Severo Ines Jr. was honored as the Officer of the Quarter by the Hawai'i Island Safety and Security Professionals Association (HISSPA). Officer Augustine "Augie" Akiu Jr., a lifelong resident of Ka'u, was nominated by his peers and awarded the district's Officer of the Year. Officer Jenna Kosinski-Santos, also a lifelong resident of Ka'u, was recognized as the district's top enforcer, an award given to the officer with the highest proactive enforcement citation activity in the district for the year. Hamakua Patrol Officer Kaleb Caves received the Haweo Award in December for his investigative skills, which led to the recovery of stolen property in multiple cases during his first two months on solo patrol. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 24, 2025 Page 3 • Other Department Activities and Updates: Chief Moszkowicz reported that on January 18, the Kona Community Policing Officers, in collaboration with Path Hawaii, hosted the inaugural HI-PAL Keiki Fun Run in Kona. A total of 40 keiki participated in three running events: a one-mile run, a half-mile run, and a 200-yard dash. Each participant received a HI-PAL appreciation medal upon crossing the finish line and took home a swag bag filled with goodies. On December 21, the Area I TEU team conducted a morning DUI checkpoint/child safety seat clinic in upper Puna and a traffic safety sign waving with community members on Highway 130 in Kea`au. While the officers at the checkpoint did not make any DUI arrests, they did give away five boosters and two brand-new car seats to families in need in less than an hour. The events were supported by Mountain View Elementary School, Partners for Safe Travels, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, and local community members. HPD's biannual Community Satisfaction Survey will be open from February 1 to 28. Throughout the month, they will utilize social and traditional media to encourage community participation. The survey can be accessed via QR codes and a link, which will be available on every page of their website for the entire month. As with previous surveys, the results will be posted online after analysis. In 2021, the survey received just over 1,000 responses, increasing to over 1,500 in 2023. This year, the goal is to reach 2,000 responses. On Wednesday, January 29, at 6.00 p.m., HPD will hold a ceremony at Aunty Sally's Luau Garden in Hilo to celebrate department promotions. This will be the first promotion ceremony in over a year, recognizing individuals who have been promoted throughout the past year. Additionally, on February 1, HPD will promote one Assistant Chief (Sherry Bird), one Major (Sandor Finkey), two Captains, nine Lieutenants, six Sergeants, five Detectives, and 14 Police Officer Ills. On Friday, January 31, at 10.30 a.m., HPD will honor the 13 men and women of the 100th recruit class as they complete their Field Training Officer (FTO) program and transition to their first solo assignments. The recognition ceremony will take place at the Moku`ola Ballroom at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Further discussion covered traffic safety monitoring, hot spot identification, data analysis, as well as changes in the Department of Public Works administration. Chief Moszkowicz highlighted the department's commitment to addressing station infrastructure and maintenance issues. The commission emphasized the importance of maintaining all facilities to ensure the health and safety of personnel. Deputy Chief Mahuna responded to an earlier question about fireworks-related calls for service by providing island-wide statistics. Between December 15 and January 2, a total of 252 calls were reported for fireworks violations, with 180 occurring between Hawai'i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 24, 2025 Page 4 December 29 and January 2. While specific outcomes of these calls were not available, he noted that the numbers likely include duplicate reports from multiple calls about the same incidents. The data was provided by dispatch. Further discussion followed regarding the ongoing challenges of illegal fireworks in Hawai'i County. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Election of Chair and Vice Chair of the Hawai'i County Police Commission for 2025 per Rule 3(a)(2). Vice Chair Bertsch announced that Chair Robinson couldn't attend due to a scheduling conflict, but sent his regrets and expressed his desire to remain as chair. Praising his work, Vice Chair Bertsch nominated Rick Robinson for chair for 2025, and Commissioner Quartararo seconded the nomination. During discussion, Commissioner Sur expressed his opinion and concerns about Robinson's approach. With no further discussion, Vice Chair Bertsch called for a vote. All commissioners voted in favor, except Commissioner Sur, and the motion passed. Rick Robinson will remain as Chair. Vice Chair Bertsch called for nominations for vice chair. Commissioner Lacerte nominated John Bertsch, Commissioner Quartararo seconded the nomination. After asking for any discussion, Commissioner Sur nominated Commissioner Tavares. Vice Chair Bertsch then called for a vote on the original motion, which passed unanimously. John Bertsch was confirmed as vice chair for 2025. Recess was called at 10.03 a.m., the meeting reconvened at 10:15 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) Commissioner Tavares 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 consider sensitive matters related to public safety, and may consult with the board's attorney 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 Hawai'i County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Seconded by Commissioner Buckman, with no discussion, it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10.16 a.m. Motion to reconvene open session made by Commissioner Tavares, seconded by Commissioner Lacerte with no discussion, and it carried unanimously. The regular session reconvened at 2.39 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Investigation of complaints: o HPC 24-42: Complainant alleges violation of the collective bargaining agreement and prohibited practices. Commissioner Tavares made a motion to continue, Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes January 24, 2025 Page 5 seconded by Commissioner Sur, with no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Tavares motioned that the commission establish a permitted interaction group (PIG) to include Vice Chair Bertsch, Chair Robinson, and himself to continue fact-finding efforts relating to HPC 24-42. Commissioner Lacerte seconded. With no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. o HPC 24-41: Complainant alleges officers acted unprofessionally and aggressively during a traffic stop. Commissioner Quartararo motioned to decline, the complaint was speculative, hypothetical, or not based on factual circumstances. Commissioner Tavares seconded to have a discussion. He stated if they decline, it would be in the non-acceptance category when it should be insufficient. After no further discussion, Vice Chair Bertsch called for a vote, and all voted nay, the motion failed. Commissioner Tavares made a motion that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint's allegations, seconded by Commissioner Buckman, with no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. o HPC 24-45: Complainant alleges excessive use of force and inappropriate behavior. Commissioner Tavares motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint's allegations, seconded by Commissioner Sur, with no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. Vice Chair Bertsch stated for the record, that he recused himself from this complaint. o Non-acceptance category: Commissioner Sur motioned to sustain the chair's decision to not accept correspondence no. 25-01, seconded by Commissioner Lacerte, with no discussion, the motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING None suggested. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Robinson announced the next regular meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2025, at 9.00 a.m. at the County Building, Council Chambers, Suite 1401, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, HI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2.47 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: CHARISSE CORREA, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: JOHN BERTSCH, VICE CHAIR