HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-14 Police Commission MinutesHAWAII COUNTY POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
MAY 14, 2010
WAIMEA CIVIC CENTER
INVOCATION
Commissioner Ignacio gave an invocation.
Chair Whittemore introduced new commissioners Michelle Kualii of District 4 and Leroy
Victorine of District 2.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Whittemore called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Tom Whittemore, Chair
Donn S. Mende, Vice Chair
Carol R. Ignacio Commissioner
Michelle L. Kualii, Commissioner
T. Ka'ili Pe'a- Ferrari, Commissioner
Michael B. Sumja, Commissioner
Leroy J. Victorine, Commissioner
Also Present: Harry S. Kubojiri, Police Chief
Paul K. Ferreira, Deputy Chief
Derek Pacheco, Assistant Chief
Henry Tavares, Assistant Chief
Larry Weber, Major
James O'Connor, Captain
Lincoln S. Ashida, Corporation Counsel
Josie Pelayo, Secretary
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Sumja moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Mende seconded,
and it carried unanimously.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS — None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Ignacio moved to approve the minutes April 23, 2010, regular and
executive sessions. Commissioner Sumja seconded, and it carried unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS
Commissioner Sumja moved to accept Correspondences 2010 -04 and 2010 -05.
Commissioner Ignacio seconded, and it carried unanimously.
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May 14, 2010
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Commissioner Sumja moved to accept the minutes from the Maui and Honolulu Police
Commissions. Commissioner Victorine seconded, and it carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Budget and Finance (Mende): No report.
• Office Management (Whittemore): No report.
• Rules and Policies ( Sumja): No report.
• Public Relations (Ignacio): Commissioner Ignacio requested the job description for
the Police Department's Public Relations Specialist.
CHIEF'S REPORT
Including:
• Crime: AC Tavares summarized the written report. He reported on the Ike Kupuna
Program which is a mentoring program for community members, leaders, and
kupunas to meet new officers and help them become familiar with the district. The
officers will also be given a Hele -On Bus tour of the different hot spots.
Commissioner Sumja asked that this also be done for Kohala.
• Traffic: AC Pacheco reported that traffic accidents are down, but fatalities are up.
They have had a little over 200 cell phone citations. In response to Commissioner
Ignacio's inquiry into protocol for missing persons, he stated that a missing person
report should be filed immediately as a missing person. It can be later classified as
a runaway. Response should be immediate.
Personnel: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported having two sworn and thirteen civilian
vacancies. They are currently doing a Police Officer I recruitment.
• Finance: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that their budget is still on track. They are
looking at half a million dollar increase to their budget. SHOPO's pay increase goes
into effect in July.
Regarding special duty assignments, Chief Kubojiri reported that active members
get assigned first and then reserve officers. Under CALEA, reserve officer will have
to do the exact same thing as regular officers, so he expects a huge reduction in
reserve officers, the majority of which are retired officers. All special duties must go
through the department, and the clerks follow the assignments.
• Commendations: Chief Kubojiri received sixteen commendations since the last
meeting.
• Other Departmental Activities: Chief Kubojiri reported that this week is National
Police Week. They have put in their application for accreditation, and Assistant
Chief Kanehailua and his staff will be working on this. The next commander's
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May 14, 2010
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meeting will be next week Tuesday at the Hilo station, following which they will have
a community meeting in which he and his commanders will hear concerns from the
public. They do this every month and try to do it in every district. They will be
holding four meetings with HGEA members, two in Hilo and two in Kona, to go over
the furlough schedule and benefits open enrollment. There are a lot of rumors going
around, and these meeting should help to relieve the anxiety. HR is compiling a list
of frequently asked questions. Furlough for the records department will be a little
different because of the Judiciary's schedule
NEW BUSINESS
County of Hawai'i Furlough Schedule and Police Commission's Monthly Meeting
Schedule. Chair Whittemore suggested changing all the monthly meetings to Thursday
instead of Friday. Ms. Pelayo will work on this.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
State of Hawai'i Police Commissioners' Conference, May 20 -21, 2010. Chair
Whittemore encouraged all commissioners to attend the conference, especially since
they are hosting it.
Recess was called at 10:10 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:30 a.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Victorine moved to meet in executive session to consider discipline and
charges against officers or employees of the Hawai'i County Police Department where
consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved 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 (2) (4) and Hawai'i
County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). Commissioner Ignacio seconded, and it carried
unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:31 a.m.
Open session reconvened at 10:36 p.m.
ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTTERS
CORRESPONDENCE 2010 -04, request for legal counsel by Police Chief Harry
Kubojiri, Major Larry Weber, and Captain Samuel Jelsma in Civil No. 09 -1 -0347.
Commissioner Victorine moved that they authorize legal counsel for Chief Kubojiri,
Major Weber, and Captain Jelsma. Vice Chair Mende seconded, and the motion
carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Vice Chair Mende moved to meet in executive session to consider discipline and
charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii County Police Department where
consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved 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 (2) (4) and Hawaii
County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). Commissioner Victorine seconded, and it carried
unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:38a.m.
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May 14, 2010
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Open session reconvened at 10:45 a.m.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS — None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Chair Whittemore announced that the next meeting would be on June 18, 2010, in
the County's Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo.
• Collection of files and documents — Done.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 p.m.
SUBMITTED:
JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY
APPROVED:
TOM WHITTEMORE, CHAIR