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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-17 Police Commission MinutesHAWAII COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 17, 2006 WAIMEA CIVIC CENTER Blessing was given by Police Chaplain Jittu. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pudding Lassiter called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Chair Lassiter recognized retiring Police Commissioner Bertsch for his five years of service on the commission. Each commissioner gave him a personal farewell. ROLL CALL Present: Pudding Lassiter, Chair Melvin S. Morimoto, Vice Chair John M. Bertsch, Member James A. Frazier, Member Louis Kaoiwi, Member Karolyn P. Lundkvist, Member Kaloa R. N. Robinson, Member Anita Politano Steckel, Member Absent: Betsy Mitchell, Member A quorum was present. Also Present: Lawrence K. Mahuna, Police Chief Harry S. Kubojiri, Deputy Chief Elroy Osorio, Assistant Chief Ronald Nakamichi, Assistant Chief Derek Pacheco, Major Kay Nishibayashi, Accountant Lincoln S. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Lundkvist moved and Commissioner Robinson seconded to approve the agenda. Commissioner Frazier asked to add the Maui Police Commission minutes of February 15, 2006. The motion carried with the addition of the Maui minutes. STATEMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS — None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Bertsch moved and Commissioner Robinson seconded to approve the minutes of February 17, 2006, regular and executive sessions. The motion carried unanimously. Discussion: Commissioner Politano stated that her comments regarding the Friends of the Hawaii Police Department were that they could assist with public relations. Commissioner Frazier inquired whether the statement that 28 recruits would be filling some of the vacancies was accurate, to which A.C. Osorio stated it was. The motion carried unanimously with the noted amendment by Commissioner Politano Steckel. Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 17, 2006 Page 2 PERSONNEL ORDERS Nos. 2006 -016 to 2006 -033 (Including, but not limited to work assignments, training assignments, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, automobile allowances, and appointments.) Commissioner Kaoiwi moved and Commissioner Bertsch seconded to accept the personnel orders. The motion carried unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Budget and Finance (Frazier /Morimoto): Chair Lassiter read the draft of a letter to the County Council supporting the Police Department's supplemental budget. • Office Management and Staffing (Lundkvist /Mitchell): Commissioner Lundkvist stated that the commission has a new office and she asked the other commissioners for help in furnishing the office with plants, to which Commissioner Kaoiwi stated he would take care of it himself. Chair Lassiter stated that she would be getting photos of all the commissioners and the department's mission statement for display in the office. • Rules and Policies (Bertsch / Kaoiwi): No report. • Contractual Services (Robinson): No report. Public Relations (Lassiter / Politano Steckel): Commissioner Politano Steckel stated that the East Hawaii Cultural Center's 501h anniversary celebration is moving ahead, and the Police Department will be assisting. CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Major Derek Pacheco summarized the written report. • Traffic: Assistant Chief Nakamichi summarized the written report. Commissioner Frazier stated that he was pleased to see the low rate of underage drinking. Personnel: Assistant Chief Osorio reported having 69 sworn vacancies. An officer who resigned in the beginning of the year was rehired. Twenty -eight vacancies will be filled by new recruits. They had one recruitment visit at Charminade University, but attendance was poor, probably due to poor weather conditions. Recent drug abuse has been a big recruitment problem. Commissioner Lundkvist inquired whether they have considered bringing back retirees, to which A.C. Osorio stated that they prefer recruits who would make the Police Department a career. In response to Commissioner Bertsch's inquiry, A.C. Osorio stated that he would have the cost of background checks at the next meeting. Finance: Accountant Kay Nishibayashi stated that a copy of the department's budget has already been sent to the County Council, although the commission's letter of support could still be reviewed before April 4. Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 17, 2006 Page 3 • Commendations: Chief Mahuna reported receiving four commendations since the last meeting. • Commander's meeting minutes of February 24, 2006: No discussion. Other departmental activities: Chief Mahuna pointed out that in that morning's newspaper, there was an article on the Impaired Driving Traffic Task Force. Its mission statement is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce costs by reducing motor vehicle related fatalities and crashes in Hawaii County. To develop, promote, and implement effective education and enforcement programs and policies to reduce impaired driving in Hawaii County. They are working with the judiciary to provide stiffer penalties. They now have a stealth vehicle for locating impaired drivers. It is very impression, and it has $2,000 lighting system. He hopes the commission will be a part of the task force or send a representative to the meetings. Chief Mahuna reported that the Police Department would be having its budget hearing before the County Council on March 30 at 1:30 p.m. He would like the commission's support. Assistant Chief Osorio reported that they have hired Ms. Chris Loos as the Police Department's Public Relations Specialist. She will start on April 3 and comes with a lot of qualities that the department can use. She also knows a lot of people who can help facilitate in the job. Recess was called at 10:20 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:35 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • 2006 State of Hawaii Police Commission Conference hosted by Hawaii County: Chair Lassiter reported that the Police Department will be assisting with the conference and asked all commissioners to help with the various tasks involved in hosting the conference. Commissioner Frazier stated that he would like to have dramatizations of misconduct. Deputy Chief Kubojiri stated that infractions and departmental procedures may differ with different counties, although state laws are the same. They could take a point and expound on it. Chair Bertsch stated that they need to look at what, they as a commission, could learn. Commissioner Lundkvist stated that she would like to be able to ask the right questions. INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF COMPLAINT • Complaint HPC 05 -13: Complainant alleged that during the arrest of another individual, an officer threatened him with pepper spray and used profanity. The complaint was referred to Legal Eyes Investigative Services. (Originally heard in open session, as requested by both complainant and officer.) Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 17, 2006 Page 4 Investigator Dan Boe stated that the complainant's statements were inconsistent with witnesses he interviewed. During the arrest of a neighbor, the complainant wanted to come off as a good guy, but he didn't know the violent history of his neighbor. He wanted to stay and help and have some effect on the situation. The complainant failed to follow the officer's instructions to back away. His investigation found insufficient evidence to prove the allegations against the officer. • Status report of complaints referred to Police Chief Mahuna: Captain Tavares summarized the written report. No names were mentioned. Ms. Pelayo asked for advice on pending complaints that have been on hold for many months due to unavailable police reports. Corporation Counsel Ashida suggested that they place all complainants on the next agenda, whether or not police reports were received, and to inform both the complainant and the officer that a decision could be made at the meeting. The commissioners agreed to the suggestion. Captain Tavares was asked for his opinion on how the commission handled complaints. He questioned the benefit of people making a complaint with the commission, and then it being referred to the Police Department for an investigation. Chair Bertsch stated that it gives the community a sense of control and fairness which is very important. Commissioner Lundkvist stated that filing with the commission gives people comfort. Corporation Counsel suggested that the Chair send a letter to the Chief requesting that Police Commission complaint forms be made available at all police stations and that the public should be told where the Police Commission's office is. EXECUTIVE SESSION - There was no executive session. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS — None. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Lassiter announced that the next meeting would be on April 21, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo. • Collection of files and documents. — Done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. SUBMITTED: APPROVED: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY PUDDING LASSITER, CHAIR