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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-16 Police Commission Minutes HAWAI‘I POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 2011 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDER Chair Donn Mende called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Donn S. Mende, Chair Leroy J. Victorine, Vice Chair Paul W. Horner, Commissioner Carol R. Ignacio, Commissioner Michelle L. Kualii, Commissioner Jessanie Marques, Commissioner Kenneth T. Ono, Commissioner T. Ka‘ili Pe‘a-Ferrari, Commissioner Michael B. Sumja, Commissioner Also Present: Harry S. Kubojiri, Police Chief Lincoln S. T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Victorine moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Ignacio seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS : None. CORRESPONDENCE 2011-16: Status Report of Police Department’s Goals for Calendar Year 2011 from Police Chief Harry Kubojiri. Vice Chair Victorine moved to accept the correspondence. Commissioner Marques seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Chief Kubojiri came before the commission and addressed the commission. He stated that the successes of the police department are the men and women behind him. (Eighteen officers unexpectedly showed up in support of the Chief’s evaluation.) Chief Kubojiri responded to questions regarding Correspondence 2011-16. He stated that Dr. Kimo Alameda conducted a training session for the police department, but due to outside concerns, they couldn’t continue to use him and have used others instead. They continue to work on attitudes of officers. They have not delved into a five-year plan recently, although it will be required for CALEA accreditation. It takes a lot of thought and is a work in progress. It is hard to make projections, especially in the current economy. If the commission wants to make it a part of his goals, he has no problem with it. When asked what he responsibilities he liked least, Chief Kubojiri stated that it is always hard to severely discipline someone, to terminate their employment, realizing they have obligations. He clarified what was in today’s newspaper regarding a spike in police officer firings. The report that five officers were terminated was misleading. One individual could Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 16, 2011 Page 2 have had multiple offenses that result in termination. It listed firings by the offense, not by the individual officer. They did not terminate five officers. Three officers were terminated. Chief Kubojiri stated that they have good employees who want to do good. Commissioner Ono told Chief Kubojiri that as a commission, they expect the Chief to be clear, purposeful, and consistent. He asked if the commission has been clear, purposeful, and consistent. He wants to be sure that they are, and asked the Chief to let them know if they are not. Chief Kubojiri stated that he does enjoy the open dialog that they have had at monthly meetings, and the commission is clear and concise. Vice Chair Victorine stated that their job is to support and aid the Chief in their mission. They are not there to run or interfere in the department. Sometimes they can offer information or insight. Chief Kubojiri stated that that the Attorney General will be publishing a 2010 report showing that Hawai‘i County had the lowest crime rate in the state. Commissioner Ono stated that overall, the Chief has been doing a good job and thanked him. Corporation Counsel Ashida advised that the commission is the Chief’s appointing authority. The commission is not the Chief’s boss. The Charter makes it clear that the Mayor is the Chief Executive of the County, that the Chief comes under his direct supervision, and the Charter uses the term “control” of the Mayor. The commission’s duties and responsibilities are as an appointing authority and evaluating body which is why the Chief’s evaluation will be submitted to both the Mayor and the Council. That ensures that the appropriate separation of powers and checks and balances that are incumbent to good government are maintained and are in place. Recess was called at 10:00 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:21 a.m. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF POLICE CHIEF HARRY KUBOJIRI EXECUTIVE SESSION: Commissioner Ono moved to meet in executive session to conduct an annual performance evaluation of Police Chief Harry Kubojiri where consideration of matters affecting privacy will be involved and a closed session is requested by Chief Kubojiri 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 the Hawai‘i County Charter 13-20 (b). Vice Chair Victorine seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:22 a.m. Open session reconvened at 1:40 p.m. Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 16, 2011 Page 3 ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Mende announced that the Police Commission’s next monthly meeting will be on Friday, January 20, 2012, in the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building G Conference Rm., Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Kailua-Kona. Collection of files and documents. – Done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:43 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: DONN S. MENDE, CHAIR