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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-15 Police Commission Regular Minutes (draft) HAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2026 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER, BUILDING A, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII UNAPPROVED MINUTES These minutes are DRAFT minutes. The commission has not voted to accept them. Changes may/may not be made prior to their adoption at the next meeting. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Botelho called the meeting to order at 9.06 a.m. Present: Wendy Botelho, Vice Chair Lloyd Enriquez, Commissioner Franz "Junior" Fischer, Commissioner Eileen Lacerte, Commissioner Allen Salavea, Commissioner Berni Urban-Smith, Commissioner Absent: Greg Yamada, Chair Jacob Tavares, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Reed Mahuna, Police Chief Sherry Bird, Deputy Chief Rio Amon-Wilkins, Assistant Chief Thomas Shopay, Assistant Chief Scott Amaral, Major Tuck Loy Aurello, Captain Edwin Buyten, Captain William Jarrett, Deputy Corporation Counsel Lynn Petersen, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS • George and Sharon Handgis addressed the Commission and shared their concerns. Mr. Handgis advised that he was told that he could speak in executive session, however, was advised that executive session is closed to the public. Mr. Handgis related that this has all the components of corruption and criminals that are organized, and one of the most valuable private companies in the world, Netflix, is involved. They have been upstanding citizens for 40 years and have actual photographs that they can present. Mrs. Handgis said that they live across the bay and when they went kayaking, a male who was standing at the top of the property that they were renting started to take pictures of them. They feel it is harassment as they have every right to be there, and they feel they can't even go out of their own home to go in the water. She also related that bright lights shine into their home and the loud noise disturbs everybody. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2026 Page 2 When they called the police, the officer did not talk to them but went across to Temptation Island and took their report that Handgis had been harassing them. They don't believe that the officer did his job and sided with the other people. They thought that when you call the Police Department, they will come and talk to you and find out what is going on. It has been months that they endured the lights, noise, and music `til 3.00 in the morning. Cheryl Lewi addressed the Commission and added that when they were kayaking and the people came out and started taking pictures of them, it was an invasion of their rights. When they called the police, the officers went to the people at Temptation Island instead of coming to see them. All the lighting and noise across the bay is an invasion also. Ms. Lewi stated that there are so many people on the island, and it's very sad that not even the officers can help them. For her, Temptation Island and what they portray there is not a good thing. They stop people from going on the rocks to fish and swim. Mrs. Handgis added that she took photographs with time stamp, but no one asked her for proof. • There were no testifiers on Zoom. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Commissioner Fischer moved to approve the regular and executive session minutes for February 20, 2026. Commissioner Salavea seconded the motion, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. • Commissioner Fischer moved to approve the regular and executive session minutes for March 20, 2026. Commissioner Salavea seconded the motion, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Items from the Chief's written reports were highlighted: • Crime Report: Major Amaral reported 4,612 serious crimes reported through April 30, 2026. Areas I and II Criminal Investigation units investigated 718 of those (493 in Area I and 225 in Area II). • Calls for Service: For the month of April 2026, the department received 9,153 calls for service (FYTD: 98,895). • Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Amon-Wilkins reported the traffic statistics as of May 14, 2026. For FY 2025-2026, there were 811 traffic crashes compared to 824 the previous fiscal year, a 2% decrease. Traffic fatalities totaled 16 compared to 20 the year prior, a 20% decrease. There were 5 DUI fatalities compared to 7 the year prior, a 29% decrease. DUI arrests were 715 compared to 786 the year prior (a 9% decrease). For the month of April 2026, there were 77 DUI arrests compared to 69 in March 2026 Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2026 Page 3 (a 12% increase). A total of 5,165 citations were issued, including 3,589 moving/ regulatory violations, 342 seat belt violations, 21 child restraint violations, and 1,065 speeding citations. Commissioner Salavea asked what they attribute the decrease in DUI arrests to. Assistant Chief Amon-Wilkins hopes it is due to compliance and added that they have traffic enforcement units on both sides of the island conducting enforcement and showing presence. It's a combination of public awareness and increased enforcement. Commissioner Enriquez inquired about an increase in DUls at this time of year with graduations coming up and parties. Assistant Chief Amon-Wilkins related that they will step up enforcement in anticipation of more people on the roads. They will be focusing on visibility and enforcement during graduation season. • Vice Report: Captain Buyten reported Vice Division activity for April 2026. Seizures included 143.04 grams of meth, 147.59 grams of cocaine, 2.21 grams of heroin, 3,527.30 grams of processed marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia to include scales, pipes, and grinders. They seized $22,585 and recovered three illegal guns. The division made 23 felony arrests involving 85 offenses and executed 29 search warrants. Commissioner Fischer inquired about the big discrepancy between east and west in cocaine seizures and asked if this was attributed to one large arrest or multiple small ones. Captain Buyten reported that it would be a larger recovery due to the decent intelligence they received. • Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Shopay reported that as of April 30, 2026, there were 100 sworn vacancies in the field; counting 13 recruits in the 104t" Recruit Class, 9 in the 105t" Recruit Class, and 7 in the 106t" Recruit Class, there were 71 actual unfilled positions. For Police Communications Officer I and II, 28 positions were filled and 11 were vacant. All five Supervising Police Communications Officer positions were filled. Overall, 403 of 503 sworn positions (80%) and 130 of 163 civilian positions (80%) were filled. PO I recruitment is continuous. On April 15, 2026, 13 applicants were referred; and on May 6, 2026, 13 applicants were referred. The next physical agility test is on June 3, 2026. Assistant Chief Shopay related that County HR and HPD HR are working together to expedite their application process. When an individual applies online, there is a second application for those applying for HPD so there's a lag between when the County accepts the application to see if they meet the minimum qualifications and when HPD gets it. That lag gives people opportunities to take other positions or jobs somewhere else. Therefore, they combined the questions from their second application into the initial one which they believe will help expedite the process. They will test this with school crossing guard applicants. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2026 Page 4 • Finance: Assistant Chief Shopay reported that the County's transition to a new payroll system has limited their access to detailed budget information that they have relied on for reports. As of April 30, 2026, the target expenditure percentage was 89.83%, with actual expenditures at 91.95%. Regular salaries & wages were at 81.63%, overtime salaries & wages at 244.97%, and miscellaneous salaries & wages at 546.31%. Of the approximately $90 million budget, 89% has been spent or obligated, with a balance of approximately $34 million. The reversal of a double charge of salary and wages for November 2025 has not been posted and there is no ETA. Commissioner Urban-Smith requested clarification on the merging of the questions which will void out the second application completely. Assistant Chief Shopay responded that all the questions will be given at one time so when applicants are referred to the Police Department, the background checks can be done faster. Commissioner Salavea asked when the pilot for the school crossing guards will be completed so they can understand how the new application process works. Per Assistant Chief Shopay, that period is dependent on how many applicants there are when the recruitment closes. They will have a good idea of how it works in the next few months. • Other Activities: Chief Mahuna reported that the five-year plan is ahead of schedule. It is out for employees to review and provide feedback. The May budget has been received and will be sent to the Commission for review. Chief provided an update on various departmental activities, including new police SUVs and trucks which were distributed across all districts, test & evaluation of new external ballistic vests, participation in Career Days, HI-PAL events, Autism Walk, sign waving events, kupuna watch meetings, Merrie Monarch Parade, recognition of dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, community meetings, Troy Barboza Torch Run, Denim Day, DARE Day, and honoring officers who made the ultimate sacrifice during National Police Week. • Commendations and Awards: Chief Mahuna reported on several recent recognitions, including Captain Stevens graduating from the FBI National Academy, Captain Buyten graduating from the Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, Administrative Employee of the Year award presented to Winnie Cabral, Senior Commander Promotions, Haweo Award presented to Officer Christopher Barto, Kau Officer of the Quarter award presented to Officer Jake Villa, Aloha Exchange Club Officer of the Month awards presented to Officers Calvin Furtado, Josiah Loving, Victor McLellan, and Jared-Taylor Makaweo-Quihano, and Kona Crime Prevention Committee Officer of the Month awards presented to Officer Christopher Kim and Officer Eli Cayetano. Ten commendations involving fifteen personnel were received since the last Commission meeting in recognition of outstanding services. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2026 Page 5 Regarding the application process, Deputy Chief Bird related that the timeline when applicant names come to HPD and they are able to offer employment has been trimmed down to about 3 '/2 months. They're trying to trim that down even further by combining the applications before background checks are conducted. Commissioner Salavea stated that shortening the application process is great as it really is an employee's market out there, and the quicker we can get to people the more success we will have. Commissioner Urban-Smith inquired about the protocol in place for gatherings that happen by the Mormon Church, and if groups need to call the police station to notify them that there is something happening and they will be parking in the no parking zone. Chief Mahuna responded that people do give them a heads up, but there should not be parking there as officers will address parking violations. Commissioner Urban-Smith respectfully requests that an officer be present when there is a gathering. She has noticed that people encroach over the white line even though there are cones set up. Those people are passionate for what they're gathered for, but nonetheless safety should be the first priority. Commissioner Fischer echoed what Commissioner Urban-Smith said and stated that growing up in that area, he noticed over the last few years that it is getting worse and people are much more passionate, even aggressive, and do cross a little on the road. Commissioner Urban-Smith asked if there are any restrictions or protocol when it comes to riding e-bikes. Chief Mahuna stated that new rules have passed, and it is dependent on the speed of the bike and battery capacity. Chief will get back to Commissioner Urban- Smith on the age limit for riding e-bikes. Acting Chair Botelho stated that the best crime prevention is what Chief, Deputy, and their officers are doing now and the community is seeing how they care about them. She commended both of them and stated that being active and having presence are immeasurable and good. She related that during their sign waving event at the intersection of Komohana and Mohouli, they received a warm reception from community members, showing that officers are doing what needs to be done to keep our community safe. Commissioner Enriquez inquired about requests for ride-alongs with officers so Commissioners can better understand what officers deal with. Per Chief Mahuna, ride- alongs can be arranged for Commissioners. Commissioner Urban-Smith inquired where someone can get an autism ID. Chief Mahuna related that the Autism Support and Disability Center has different places where an ID can be obtained. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) Report: Acting Chair Botelho reported that a lot of the members who initiated this group are no longer on the Commission and opened it up Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2026 Page 6 for discussion. Commissioner Lacerte related that she does not think there are any original members. Acting Chair Botelho asked if a new committee should be formed, to which Commissioner Lacerte agreed. DCC Jarrett related that the Commissioners have the following options: review the proposed rule amendments and defer discussion, pass the proposed rule amendments for adoption, or form another group to review the recommendations and come back with another report. Forming another group, however, needs to be an agendized item. Commissioner Lacerte moved to agendize the formation of a new PIG to review the proposal and come back with a report. Commissioner Salavea seconded the motion, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. Recess was called at 10:16 a.m., and the meeting reconvened at 10.33 a.m. DCC Jarrett gave a quick procedural note that the Commission is considering going into executive session. The complainants for HPC 26-13(a) and 26-13(b) are not here and will be given an opportunity to present before the Commission. EXECUTIVE SESSION (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC) Commissioner Salavea motioned to meet in executive session to consider charges against officers or employees of the police department, where matters affecting privacy will be involved 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), 92-5(a)(4) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fischer, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10.33 a.m. Motion to reconvene open session was made by Commissioner Salavea. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lacerte, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. The regular session reconvened at 12.55 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Investigation of complaints: • HPC 26-13(a): Complainant alleges the officer was aggressive and disrespectful. Commissioner Lacerte motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's misconduct allegations. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Salavea, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. • HPC 26-13(b): Complainant alleges the officer was aggressive and disrespectful. Commissioner Lacerte motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's misconduct allegations. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Salavea, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. • Correspondence No. 26-05, Request for reconsideration: DCC Jarrett stated that any discussion will need to be done in executive session again. This is a non-action Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 15, 2026 Page 7 on a previous complaint so if the reconsideration is accepted, it must come from a Commissioner who voted in favor of the non-action at the Commission meeting on February 20, 2026. Commissioner Salavea moved to not reconsider this request, however, withdrew his motion because he was not at the prior Commission meeting. Commissioner Fischer motioned to deny any request for reconsideration. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lacerte, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. • Complaints in the non-acceptance category: HPC 26-07: Commissioner Fischer moved to ratify the non-acceptance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lacerte, with no discussion, and the motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING DCC Jarrett related that a motion to establish a new Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) was carried, and this issue will be agendized for the next meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS Acting Chair Botelho announced the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026, at 9.00 a.m., at the County Building, Council Chambers, Suite #1401, 25 Aupuni St., Hilo, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: LYNN PETERSEN, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: