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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-16 Police Commission MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 16, 2012 PUNA CONFERENCE ROOM HAWAII COUNTY BUILDING, HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Ono called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Kenneth Paul W. T. Ono, Chair Horner, Commissioner Michelle L. Kualii, Commissioner Jessanie L. Marques, Commissioner T. Ka`ili Pe`a- Ferrari, Commissioner Guy K. Schutte, Commissioner Leroy J. Victorine, Commissioner Excused: Carol R. Ignacio, Vice Chair Donn S. Mende, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also Present: Paul Ferreira, Deputy Police Chief Marshall Kanehailua, Assistant Chief Paul Kealoha, Assistant Chief Henry Tavares, Assistant Chief John Briski, Detective Lincoln S. T. Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Pe`a- Ferrari moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Horner seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS — None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 17, 2012, regular and executive session minutes. Commissioner Victorine moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Marques seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS • Correspondence 2012 -02. Invitation to the 2012 State of Hawaii Police Commissioners' Conference May 24 -25, 2012, hosted by the Maui Police Commission. Chair Ono encouraged the commissioners to attend the conference. He stated that a portion of the conference is dedicated to discussing common interests among the commissioners. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 16, 2012 Page 2 POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Including: • Crime: Assistant Chief Henry Tavares stated that, at the Chief's request, in addition to the crime and traffic report, they will also provide a report on crime and traffic trends, and what they are doing to address the problem. He briefly summarized the written report. Up through February 29, 2012, there were 5,188 serious crimes. Of these, the Criminal Investigation Units investigated 1,410 cases in Areas I and II. For the month of February, the department received 7,514 calls for service, of which 2,606 were related to crime and /or traffic and 4,908 were for miscellaneous public assistance. Regarding crime trends, it takes time for them to review and analyze the statistics, so the report is about a month behind. In the Hilo District, they found a slight increase in unauthorized entries into motor vehicles. They did a two -day sting operation in several higher crime areas, mostly in the downtown area. Officers were able to obtain a lot of information that, hopefully, will lead them to solving some of these crimes. Out of the 29 reported burglaries, 6 were in the Waiakea Houselots area. They have stepped up visibility in that area. Their Burglary Unit continues to review pawn shops. They heavily look at receipts in trying to look for stolen items and connect them back to the crime. In South Kohala, in the Waikoloa area, they had an increase in unauthorized entries into motor vehicles. They teamed up their patrol officers with community police officers and worked with the Waikoloa Village Association, reminding homeowners to secure their vehicles while in their garage or parked outside their house. In Ka`u, they had three separate thefts of copper. The crime was solved, and the suspect was located. Officers are working with his probation officer to get a retake warrant on this individual. Traffic: Assistant Chief Kealoha briefly summarized the written report. For the month of February, 4,405 citations were issued for the following violations: moving /regulatory 2,833, seat belt 332, child restraint 38, and speeding 1,202. Regarding traffic trends for January vs. March, they had a high amount of rear -end collisions within the Hilo town area. South Hilo Patrol continues with aggressive traffic enforcement. High traffic collision areas were identified as Kamehameha Avenue, Kanoelehua Avenue, Kilauea Avenue, and Komohana Street. They increased enforcement efforts in the areas identified as intersections with high traffic accidents. In South Kohala, they are addressing the community's complaints of speeding in Waikoloa Village, especially in the Laie Street area. Enforcement has been increased in targeted areas. He attended a Waikoloa community meeting. It seems to be working; the residents are slowing down. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 16, 2012 Page 3 Commissioner Marques asked what is being done with regards to child restraint issues. Assistant Chief Kealoha stated that enforcement is not easy because it is difficult to detect at high speeds and on highways. Commissioner Marques asked if they could include in their report, the number of traffic accidents in which child restraints were not used. AC Kealoha stated that he will direct the request to the Chief. Chair Ono stated that it surprises him that so many cars are stolen on this island. Assistant Chief Tavares stated that in looking at the stats, the first thing that comes to their minds, is chop shops. However, looking in depth, if they go to a domestic and someone claims the other person took the car, that's an auto theft. If a child takes the car without the parent's permission, that's auto theft. A large number of cases are where someone took the car without permission. There is no indication that there is an active chop shop or something that is up and rising. Commissioner Victorine asked if the report could show the number of vehicles recovered. Chair Ono stated that if their requests are too cumbersome, they could do snap shots intermittently to see if there is a trend. Personnel: (Including, but not limited to work and training assignments, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, automobile allowances, and appointments.) Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported having 21 sworn vacancies. They are in the recruitment process. They had 200+ applicants. After the agility test and personal history questionnaire, they are now down to 107 applicants. The lieutenant's exam was given. They are waiting for the results and will fill the vacancies if they are allowed. They have 20 civilian vacancies, a number of which have been defunded. Six dispatcher positions were filled, and today was their first day of training. Their polygraph examiner left in an intergovernmental transfer. They are in the process of temporarily getting some sworn officers trained for the position. That will help primarily with the recruit screening processing. It takes awhile to do the polygraph examination of the recruits. They have a contract person for the position, and have asked Maui and Honolulu for assistance. Their senior account clerk has put in for retirement, and they will request to fill the vacancy. CALEA assessors are flying in this afternoon, and for the next five days will be assessing them around the island. • Finance: Assistant Chief Kanehailua stated they are tracking 3% below their target expenditures. Their budget was submitted to County Council, and they are waiting for their hearing. Their budget was increased when a council member put in money for portable handheld radios. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 16, 2012 Page 4 Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that Chief Kubojiri was unable to attend this meeting because he was attending a Joint Terrorism Task Force meeting in Honolulu which involved all the counties and federal agencies. Commendations: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that they received 6 commendations involving 34 personnel since the last commission meeting. Other Department Activities ✓ Child restraints: Deputy Chief Ferreira stated that they have Department of Transportation grants. The seatbelt enforcement grant that they applied for also involves a child restraint program. This grant assists new parents with fitting the child restraint. When they do their seatbelt check points, they also do a lot of child restraint checks. Commissioner Marques stated that a big problem with enforcement in rural communities is the small number of police officers. Deputy Chief Ferreira stated that in areas, such as Ka'u, if they see violations, they could bring it to the attention of the commander. Each district has an allotment of overtime funds from the grant that they can use to schedule officers on an overtime basis, special projects, or to bring in the Traffic Enforcement Unit which has island -wide jurisdiction. Commissioner Victorine stated that if they see a violation, they could take the license plate number and make a report. At the very least, the owner of the vehicle would receive a letter from the department regarding the violation. Commissioner Marques stated that oftentimes when children are dropped off at Pahala Elementary School, they do not wear seatbelts. Chair Ono stated that it would be good to first issue warnings and say that the next time they would get a ticket. ✓ Budget: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that they are having their budget hearing on Thursday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the County Council Room in Hilo. COMMITTEE REPORT • Committee formed for the purpose of reviewing the Police Department's Vision /Mission Plan. Chair Ono reported that the committee met on March 1 st. The members felt there were topics with sufficient interest for the entire commission. So, they decided to discontinue the committee and agendize specific topics of interest for discussion during the commission's meetings. Chair Ono stated that at the next Kona meeting, there will be a Power Point presentation on the "Open Public Firing Range." Discussion will take about 45 minutes. NEW BUSINESS • Correspondence 2012 -02. Invitation to the 2012 State of Hawaii Police Commissioners' Conference May 24 -25, 2012, hosted by the Maui Police Commission. This was discussed during communications. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 16, 2012 Page 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner 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) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). Commissioner Pe`a- Ferrari seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:45 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 11:48 a.m. STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC DWIGHT VICENTE came before the commission. He stated that he was representing the Hawaiian Kingdom. He stated that having a Police Commission under the Hawaii Revised Statutes is a violation of the U.S. Constitution, and to create a military police force is another violation. The U.S. courts do not have jurisdiction over the Kingdom. He gave notice to the commissioners that the Police Commission is unlawful under the U.S. Constitution. He further stated that they are imposing illegal gun control. The state cannot arm anybody. Chair Ono told Mr. Vicente that it was clear there were people who shared his opinion and people who did not share it. He respects people for their opinion and thanked Mr. Vicente for his opinion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Marques moved to meet in executive session again 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) (6) and the Hawaii County Charter Section 13 -20 (b). Commissioner Pe`a- Ferrari seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 12:02 p.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:16 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • HPC 11 -31: Complainant was involved in a traffic stop and then arrested. He alleged that an officer denied his request to make a phone call. Commissioner Pe`a - Ferrari moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Victorine seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. • HPC 11 -38: Complainant was involved in a traffic stop and then arrested. He alleged mistreatment during and following his arrest. Commissioner Victorine moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes March 16, 2012 Page 6 misconduct. Commissioner Pe`a- Ferrari seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. HPC 11 -39: Complainant alleged numerous illegal activities taking place around the island. He also alleged that an officer arrested him for false reporting. Commissioner Pe`a- Ferrari moved to defer the complaint to the next meeting in order to obtain additional information. Commissioner Horner seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. HPC 11 -40: Complainant alleged that an officer spoke to her in an unprofessional manner. Commissioner Victorine moved to defer the complaint to the next meeting in order to give the officer another opportunity to respond to the complaint. Commissioner Horner seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. • HPC 12 -03: Complainant alleged that an officer should not have advised him to give squatters 45 -days notice to move out of his house. Commissioner Kualii moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegation of misconduct. Commissioner Marques seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Ono announced that the Police Commission's next monthly meeting would be on April 20, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 74 -5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua -Kona. Ono done • Collection of files and documents. — Done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m. SUBMITTED: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED: KENNETH T. ONO, CHAIR