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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-09 Police Commission Minutes HAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 PUNA CONFERENCE ROOM HAWAII COUNTY BUILDING CALL TO ORDER Chair Mende called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Donn S. Mende, Chair Leroy J. Victorine, Vice Chair Michelle L. Kualii, Commissioner Kenneth T. Ono, Commissioner Michael B. Sumja, Commissioner Excused: Paul W. Horner, Commissioner Carol R. Ignacio, Commissioner T. Ka`ili Pe`a-Ferrari, Commissioner Also Present: Harry S. Kubojiri, Police Chief Paul K. Ferreira, Deputy Chief Marshall Kanehailua, Assistant Chief Randy Apele, Major James O'Connor, Captain Lincoln S. T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Sumja moved to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Victorine seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Victorine moved to approve the minutes of August 12, 2011. Commissioner Ono seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS Vice Chair Victorine moved to accept and file the Maui Police Commission Minutes of July 20, 2011. Commissioner Kualii seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. CHIEF'S REPORT Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Tavares summarized the written report. • Traffic: Major Randy Apele summarized the written report. They have had a lot of complaints of speeding in the Kohala area, and enforcement has been enhanced. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes September 9, 2011 Page 2 Although law enforcement is exempt from the cell phone law, they tell their officers to be safe and pull over when using the cell phone. • Personnel: (Including, but not limited to work and training assignments, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, automobile allowances, and appointments.) Assistant Chief Kanehailua summarized the vacancy report. They just put in a request to fill the vacancies for Police Officer I. The process takes about nine months, and they would like to start testing around October. Their Internal Affairs Unit does the background checks, and it is very labor intensive. • Finance: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that they are still below their targeted expenditure levels. Costs have increased for repair and maintenance, especially for air conditioning. In response to questions, Assistant Chief Kanehailua stated that he favors officers using their own vehicles. When they first purchased the blue and whites they were beautiful, but now more than one year later, the costs for service, repair, and maintenance have gone off the roof. People tend to take more care of their personal vehicle. They do not plan on participating in APEC in November. He believes there will be a spill over of visitors on the Big Island before and after the conference. They do get information about terrorists. • Commendations: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported receiving eight commendations since the last meeting. • Other Departmental Activities: Deputy Chief Kubojiri reported that Hawaii County will host the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Official's Association (HSLEOA) Conference on September 22 and 23. This year's focus will be on cyber crime and social media and how it affects personnel and security. Ms. Pelayo reported that time has been allotted for commissioners to meet and discuss common issues. In response to an inquiry about further training by Dr. Alameda, Deputy Chief Ferreira stated that training by Dr. Alameda has been postponed. It would be out of the ordinary for their police department to go for an RFP for any kind of training. They have always chosen trainers by qualifications and the department's needs rather than going with the lowest bidder. In light of the controversy, it will be up to Dr. Alameda if he even wants to do more training. They are looking at other avenues. EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair Victorine moved to meet in executive session to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii Police Department, to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety, 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) (5) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Ono seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:05 a.m. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes September 9, 2011 Page 3 Regular session reconvened at 11:25 a.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Complaint HPC 11-20: Complainant alleged that while being processed at the police station, an officer yelled at him, pushed him with his wrist, and used unnecessary force while fingerprinting him. Vice Chair Victorine moved for continuance. Commissioner Sumja seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. • Complainant HPC 11-21: Complainant complained about the manner in which he was served a trespass notice and alleged that an officer threw his food and backpack in a trash barrel. Vice Chair Victorine moved that there was sufficient evidence of misconduct. Commissioner Sumja seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Internal Affairs was specifically asked to give a monthly update on this complaint. • Complaint HPC 11-23: Complainant alleged that there was no response to several of his calls to 911 and as a result, a friend was assaulted. Vice Chair Victorine moved to refer the complaint to the Chief for an investigation by Internal Affairs. Commissioner Ono seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Mende announced that the Police Commission's next monthly meeting will be on Friday, October 21, 2011, at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona. • Collection of files and documents: Done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m. SUBMITTED: 6adce 2--w JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED: j9a/pr S el( , DONN S. MENDE, CHAIR