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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-20 Police Commission Minutes (chief)HAWAII COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES TESTIMONIES ON CHIEF OF POLICE CANDIDATES NOVEMBER 20, 2008 WAIMEA CIVIC CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM INVOCATION Commissioner Kaoiwi gave an invocation. CALL TO ORDER Chair Lassiter called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. ROLL CALL (A quorum was present.) Present: Pudding Lassiter, Chair Also Present: Lincoln S. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Thomas P. Whittemore, Vice Chair Josie Pelayo, Secretary Richard J. Behenna, Commissioner Louis Kaoiwi, Commissioner Karolyn P. Lundkvist, Commissioner Melvin S. Morimoto, Commissioner Anita Politano Steckel, Commissioner Michael B. Sumja, Commissioner APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Sumja moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Kaowi seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. TESTIMONIES FROM THE PUBLIC ON CHIEF OF POLICE CANDIDATES The Police Commission will take public input regarding the selection of the Chief of Police for the Hawaii County Police Department. The two candidates for Chief of Police are: 1. Chadwick K. Fukui 2. Harry S. Kubojiri Corporation Counsel Ashida explained the difference between open and closed sessions. He stated that whatever is said in closed session will remain confidential. TESTIMONIES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: ALEX PENAVAROFT stated that is interested that the person of the right caliber is chief. Chad Fukui is a person he has come into contact with for many years. He has professionalism, integrity, and interest in the people. PATTI COOK stated that she really got to know Captain Chad with the ICE issue. Before him there was a lot of mistrust. There was no response from the police department. He listened to them and got them involved. He cleaned up the park. He and his officers started family night in the Noelani Apartment Complex. They went in and worked with him. He has Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes Testimonies on Chief Candidates November 20, 2008 Page 2 the ability to bring his officers in and build confidence and trust in the community. She urged the commission to support him. PAT RICE stated that she has been an educator in Waimea for 33 years. She came because of the commitment she saw in Chad. She would often call on him with problems that arose in the school. What stood out and continued to stand out is the way he spoke to youngsters. They were not afraid to speak with Chad and he gave good counsel. That's what she looks for in a police chief. The commitment to the people and their families is what Chad is all about. BILL SANBORD stated that he is the chair of the North Hawaii Safety Community which is in limbo right now. He met both candidates. He is interested in the community relations. He has to take a position with Chad because he was an exception. He had outreach and he was willing to listen. He doesn't sit behind his desk. He gets out there. There needs to be good community relationship. You need to be available. Both of them are well - qualified to be police chief, but in this situation they need someone who interacts. JAMES. MCCABE stated that he has been with the California police department of 40 years. The assistant chief wrote him a letter and explained the problem in Waikoloa. He was really terrific, and wants to compliment him on that. His main concern is Officer Chad Fukui. He sat outside of the department and had lunch together. They had exchanges with what they do in California. There they work with the community. Every time something happened, like robberies, they brought it back to the police station. They have to work together as a team. Now, being 70 years old, he is still working as a volunteer in the police department. He would pick Chad as the next police chief. LLEWELLYN FUKUI stated that Chad is his brother. Everything said is the same for him. His parents were their role models. They taught them a lot, to set goals and high standards. They taught them how to listen. With listening comes understanding and wisdom. He has had the opportunity to see how his brother works. The thing that stands out is the trust he's had with everything, not only his subordinates, the public, arrestees. He always treated everyone with fairness. He has wealth of knowledge. In talking with Chad, he knew he wasn't finished. RON DELA CRUZ stated that he belongs to many community organizations. He has known both candidates. However, in working with Captain Fukui in crime prevention, he has been outstanding. When they had concerns and brought it to him, he listened. He puts his support to Chad Fukui. Will represent Hawaii Island very well. DEVAKI KLARE stated that she knows nothing about the two men who were selected to be police chief. Thirty -five thousand people voted for ballot question one, and they want this obeyed. Are they going to protect the people, or are they going to arrest the people? She is a cannabis user. The police arrested her. They were very ugly. The officer who arrested them is being investigated for violating their rights. A lot of kids have used drugs. Many of them have. Why punish them for using an herb. They want the chief to follow the law of Hawaii County Police Commission Regular Session Minutes Testimonies on Chief Candidates November 20, 2008 Page 3 making marijuana enforcement the lowest priority. She doesn't know if either one of these men will do that job. She hopes the man they choose will respect the will of the people. GEORGE KLARE stated that he is 70 years old and has cancer. He has a lot of friends who use marijuana. Drug policy reform is happening all over the country. We cannot go on putting people in prison. It has become a petty crime. The police should not be separate. They should be known by all the people. The man he's heard about today seems like that type of man. EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair Whittemore moved to meeting in executive session to consider the hire of an employee where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved, to receive information comprising of personal recommendations or evaluation, and to 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), and 92F -14 (b) (8). Commissioner Sumja seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 2:40 p.m. SUBMITTED: 90k V6(aI40 JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED: PUDDING LASSITER, CHAIR