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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-20 Police Commission MinutesHAWAII COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2005 REGULAR SESSION WAIMEA CIVIC CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Pudding Lassiter called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Pudding Lassiter, Vice Chair Louis Kaoiwi, Member Karolyn P. Lundkvist, Member Melvin S. Morimoto, Member Anita Politano Steckel, Member Excused: John M. Bertsch, Chair James A. Frazier, Member Betsy Mitchell, Member A quorum was present. Also Present: Lawrence K. Mahuna, Police Chief Harry S. Kubojiri, Deputy Chief James Day, Assistant Chief Ronald Nakamichi, Assistant Chief Paul Ferreira, Major Lincoln S. Ashida, Corporation Counsel APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Kaoiwi motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Politano Steckel seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS — None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kaoiwi motioned to approve the minutes of March 18 and April 15, 2005, regular and executive sessions. Commissioner Politano Steckel seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Politano Steckel's name was added to the April 15 minutes as being present. In response to Commissioner Morimoto inquiry, Corporation Counsel Ashida stated that it was not necessary to name the person who seconded a motion. The minutes for both meetings were unanimously approved. PERSONNEL ORDERS Commissioner Kaoiwi motioned to accept Personnel Orders 2005 -047 to 2005- 04 -58. Commissioner Politano Steckel seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Kaoiwi motioned to accept the communications as listed. Commissioner Lundkvist seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Budget and Finance (Frazier): No report. • Office Management (Bertsch /Mitchell): No report. Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 20, 2005 Page 2 • Rules and Policies (Bertsch /Lundkvist): Commissioner Politano Steckel raised concern over why the complainant is not given more information on the commission's findings. She wants a one - sentence explanation. The matter will be agendized for discussion at the next meeting. • Contractual Services (Frazier): No report. Public Relations (Bertsch /Lassiter): Vice Chair Lassiter, who is a member of the fleet working group, reported that they would be having more discussions over the next few months. The other counties were asked to provide information, and when that is received, they will go forward with the pros and cons of a marked police fleet. CHIEF'S REPORT • Crime: Assistant Chief Day explained that the high numbers in Area II is a result of "paper crimes" involving multiple bogus checks, and the statistics reflect each check. On April 27, 2005, Star Ahulelei was arrested on a warrant at Upolu Point in Kohala when he was found sleeping in a stolen vehicle. He was charged with three counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, two counts of terroristic threatening, one count of theft, one count of escape, one count of assault against a police officer, and six traffic offenses. He is suspected of being responsible for vehicle thefts, burglaries, and other related offenses. On April 29, 2005, Kyle Quilausing was arrested on the Waikoloa Road after a brief chase that ended with him on foot in a lava field. He was charged with 14 counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and one count of theft. He was arrested on multiple warrants. He has been active in stealing vehicles all over the island. Assistant Chief Nakamichi commended the teamwork of North Kohala, South Kohala, and Kona personnel for the apprehension of Quilausing. • Traffic: Assistant Chief Nakamichi reported that the decreased numbers is due to increased enforcement, more officer presence, and the speed boards. Personnel: Major Ferreira reported that the department has 73 sworn vacancies, but with recruits in training, the number is actually 49. The 64th class of 13 recruits will hit the street on June 1, and the 65th class of 9 members is expected to start on the job training in November. In response to Vice Chair Lassiter's inquiry into reasons for dropouts, Major Ferreira stated that some were not physically and /or mentally prepared or the job was not what they expected. If they dropout, and then come back later, they would have to go through the process again. They do conduct exit interviews. Chief Mahuna stated that because of liability, they want to make sure only fit officers are on the beat. • Finance: Major Ferreira reported that Accountant Kay Nishibayashi continues to work on the budget. Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 20, 2005 Page 3 Commendations: Chief Mahuna stated that the vision and mission of the Hawaii Police Department is coming to fruition, and they are seeing more commendations. As core values become part of whom the officers are, they will see less complaints. Vice Chair Lassiter stated that they are seeing many different officers being commended. Chief Mahuna further stated that accreditation of HPD will be another positive move forward and will be an endorsement that national specifications have been met. This will serve to further the vision and mission of HPD. Deputy Chief Kubojiri commended Vice Chair Lassiter for her comments at the Police Week ceremony. • Other Departmental Activities: Chief Mahuna reported that they now have continuous recruitment as a result of requests from schools and community groups. For the first time, HPD will conduct three classes in one year. Despite the small size of classes and historic problems in attracting qualified candidates, they are taking positive steps to increase the applicant pool and are looking at ways to attract applicants. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Preparation for Training Workshop for Commissioners: The mandatory training workshop is set for June 16 at 9:00 a.m. in the HPD training room. • Monthly Status Report of Complaints Referred to the Chief: There was no discussion on the written report. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS — None. ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Chair Lassiter announced that the next meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference, 100 Pauahi St., Hilo. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 a.m. SUBMITTED: LINCOLN S. ASHIDA CORPORATION COUNSEL APPROVED: PUDDING LASSITER VICE CHAIR