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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-15 Police Commission Minutes HAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2013 WAIMEA CIVIC CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 67-5189 KAMAMALU ST., KAMUELA, HAWAI‘I CALL TO ORDER Chair Leroy Victorine called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Leroy J. Victorine, Chair Carol R. Ignacio, Vice Chair John M. Bertsch, Commissioner Jeffrey T. Gray, Commissioner Keith T. Morioka, Commissioner Ka‘ili Pe‘a-Ferrari, Commissioner Guy K. Schutte, Commissioner Absent: Kenneth T. Ono, Commissioner Robert G. Gomes, Sr., Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Paul Ferreira, Deputy Police Chief Marshall Kanehailua, Assistant Chief Paul Kealoha, Assistant Chief Randy Apele, Major Kenneth Bugado, Captain Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Schutte moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Bertsch seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS – None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Schutte moved to approve the minutes of October 18, 2013, regular and executive sessions. Commissioner Pea-Ferrari seconded, and it carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES Crime report by area, category, and trends : Major Apele reported on crime trends in South Hilo. Five robberies were reported in an apartment complex in South Hilo. Three were reported by the same person who is a known prescription drug abuser. They are working with the property’s management. Burglaries have also occurred in Kaumana and lower Waiakea. They have several persons of interests, and items have Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes November 15, 2013 Page 2 been recovered from pawn shops. Spikes usually occur with known burglars who have to be put behind bars for it to stop. Traffic report by area, category, and trends: AC Kealoha reported that traffic accidents have been reduced island-wide. There are common areas and times for accidents in South Hilo, and TEU is focusing in those areas. They did an aggressive campaign on the new Saddle Road in the initial month, and many citations were issued. Saddle road encompasses three different districts and is now a commuter road. Commissioner Bertsch stated people in Kona are being more proficient in avoiding the known DUI check points. He asked about borrowing light towers so they could set up check points in other areas. AC Kealoha stated that placing road blocks in other areas could be a challenge. Personnel report on vacancies, recruitment, training, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, and work assignments : AC Kanehailua reported having 39 sworn vacancies, not counting the 28 recruits in class. A PO I testing is occurring to establish a list. The sergeant’s exam will be in November. Three intergovernmental transfers are going through the application process. They have 28 recruits finishing week 13. This recruit class will be the first to have culture sensitivity and aloha training. Regarding civilian vacancies, they just filled a word processing clerk position. School crossing guards are a difficult position to fill, and nothing has changed. In response to questions, AC Kanehailua stated that their largest number of people up for retirement will be in 2015-2016. The trend for retirement has been in the mid-level supervisory positions. The new contract is pretty good, and he doesn’t think many will retire. The recruitment process takes about two years from testing to hitting the road. Finance report of budget and expenditures: AC Kanehailua reported that they are adjusting their salaries and wages to pay for the pay raises that were awarded to SHOPO after the budget was approved. It was an unfunded pay raise. Overtime wages are creeping up, but they are trying to balance their accounts. They submitted a draft of their budget. Commendations of sworn and civilian employees: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that they received 6 commendations involving 8 employees since the last commission meeting. Last evening, at a banquet at Nani Mau, Chief Kubojiri was recognized by Hope Services for his services to the community. Other departmental activities: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that when they look at the number of recruits to hire, they look at their budget and request funding for temporary positions in anticipation of filling vacancies. Regarding retirements, they can make predictions, but things can change. The new contract is very beneficial for their members. If the Legislature changes the retirement benefits, there could be an exodus. Anyone in fire or police hired after July 2012 will have to work for 30 years, Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes November 15, 2013 Page 3 instead of 25 years. The SHOPO increase is coming out of their operating budget. Officers are complying with the General Orders regarding modified vehicles. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Schutte moved to meet in executive session to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawai‘i Police Department, to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety, to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities; and to discuss the Police Chief’s annual evaluation pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawai‘i County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Commissioner Pe‘a- Ferrari seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:59 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 11:31 a.m. ACTION BY THE COMMISSION Investigation of Complaints: HPC 13-44: Complainant alleged that she has made complaints to the police department, but they are exhibiting partiality against her. Commissioner Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant’s allegations of misconduct. Vice Chair Ignacio seconded, and it carried unanimously. HPC 13-46: Complainant complained about being issued citations. Commissioner Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant’s allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Ka‘ili Pe‘a-Ferrari seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Victorine announced that the Police Commission’s next monthly meeting will be on Friday, December 20, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawai‘i. Collection of files and documents. – Done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: LEROY J. VICTORINE, CHAIR