The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2014-04-11 Police Commission Regular Minutes HAWAI‘I POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES APRIL 11, 2014 WEST HAWAI‘I CIVIC CENTER 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY, KAILUA-KONA CALL TO ORDER Chair Bertsch called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: John M. Bertsch, Chair Guy K. Schutte, Vice Chair Robert G. Gomes, Sr., Commissioner Peter L. Hendricks, Commissioner Karolyn P. Lundkvist, Commissioner Keith T. Morioka, Commissioner Leroy J. Victorine, Commissioner Absent: Kenneth T. Ono, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Harry Kubojiri, Police Chief Paul Ferreira, Deputy Police Chief Paul Kealoha, Assistant Chief Marshall Kanehailua, Assistant Chief Henry Tavares, Assistant Chief Kenneth Bugado, Captain Lincoln Ashida, Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Schutte moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Victorine seconded, and it carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Victorine moved to approve the minutes of March 13, 2014, regular and executive sessions. Commissioner Schutte seconded, and it carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES Including, but not limited to: Crime report by area, category, and trends: Assistant Chief Tavares reported having 6,344 serious crimes, of which 1,662 were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Units. Both burglaries and auto thefts are up in the Hilo area. Toyota pickup trucks are still being targeted. Suspects are being looked at. Some Individuals were recently released from jail. The Special Enforcement Unit Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 11, 2014 Page 2 continues with monitoring and has adjusted its schedule to respond better to calls. CPOs and neighborhood watches are being involved. Crime reports of where crime is occurring are emailed to neighborhood watch coordinators. They are putting together a video on preventing burglaries and being more aware. Puna has seen a decrease in burglaries. They keep putting out information. In Kona they continue to receive complaints about the homeless, activities in county parks, and unauthorized entry into motor vehicles. The bike patrols continue to work with the public. Ka’u has seen a slight increase in thefts. A suspected juvenile was identified. Assistant Chief Kealoha reported that in North Kohala they recently experienced four incidents of fraudulent tax returns using names of four different people in the area. This is ID theft and a federal crime. Traffic report by area, category, and trends: Assistant Chief Kealoha reported that for the month of March, 4,245 citations were issued – moving/regulatory 2,864, seatbelt 405, child restraint 42, and speeding 934. DUI arrests are up and fatalities are down. Puna has had problems at intersections. CPOs in Puna are conducting traffic projects in Pahoa and Kea‘au. Speed studies continue in Glenwood to get people to slow down. They are participating in a statewide texting and driving campaign Personnel report on vacancies, recruitment, training, promotions, reallocations, severance from service, and work assignments: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported having 47 sworn vacancies; with the recruits, it is 16. The recruits are in field training and are projected to hit the road in June. They are in the assessment phase for another police recruitment. Only three critical sergeant positions will be filled with the current list – one for Puna, CALEA, and JAS. They lost a criminalist to retirement. One evidence specialist took another position within the county. Of the 16 civilian vacancies, 10 are school crossing guards. Finance report of budget and expenditures: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported being at 79.2% for targeted expenditures.Salaries and wages is at 81.2% due to unbudgeted salaries and wages increase. Chair Bertsch said equipment repairs are way above other line items. He asked if they are doing massive repairs of equipment or if they are reaching their lifetime. AC Kanehailua said, “Yes and yes.” They recently went through a walk through. Their equipment, building, and air conditioning all need repairs. Vehicles do not have a maintenance contract. Everything needs repairs. They identified this problem two years ago. All this falls under maintenance. Commendations of sworn and civilian employees: Chief Kubojiri reported receiving 9 commendations involving 27 employees since the last meeting. Other departmental activities: Chair Bertsch asked if they are looking to incorporate a stronger IT division to monitor social media. Chief Kubojiri said they Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 11, 2014 Page 3 are submitting a request for another IT position. They started with two IT people and still have only two people. They are looking at redoing their current RMS cads. In a large part, their computers are 10 years old. Commissioner Bertsch said he foresees a cybercrime division. Chief Kubojiri said the JAS detectives look at child pornography, and the FBI assists with cyber crimes. The RFP for the county radio system upgrade went out. They are purchasing new computers. Chair Bertsch said they have been receiving reports of more violent crime utilizing weapons. Chief Kubojiri said shooting and stabbing incidents have been spiking nationally. They have had requests for active shooter presentations. They want to go around the island to do presentations. Chief Kubojiri said they have been getting a lot of letters wanting to have concealed weapons. As long as the court has not made a decision, they will deny it. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Update on State of Hawai‘i Police Commissioner’s Conference April 24-25, 2014: Vice Chair Schutte reminded the commissioners to inform Ms. Pelayo if they will not be at a function. Chair Bertsch said they will have about 45 attendees from across the state. Jim Halstead from Taser International will do a presentation. He thanked the police department for their help. Recess was called at 9:51 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:12 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Victorine motioned to meet in executive session to consult with Corporation Counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the commission's powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities; to consider discipline and charges against officers or employees of the Hawai‘i Police Department; and to consider sensitive matters relating to public safety pursuant to HRS 92-5 (a) (2) (4) (6) and the Hawai‘i County Charter Section 13-20 (b). Vice Chair Schutte seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:18 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:40 p.m. ACTION BY THE COMMISSION ON COMPLAINTS HPC 13-45: Complainant alleged that officers did not want to assist her in making a harassment complaint, and that they were unprofessional and did not serve and protect. Vice Chair Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint’s allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously. HPC 13-49: Complainant alleged that an officer lacked courtesy and professionalism and used unnecessary force. Vice Chair Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint’s allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Morioka seconded, and it carried unanimously. Hawai‘i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes April 11, 2014 Page 4 HPC 14-02: Complainant alleged that he was assaulted, and an officer at the scene did not make a report of the incident, was not helpful, and used scare tactics. Vice Chair Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint’s allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Lundkvist seconded, and it carried unanimously. HPC 14-06: Complainant alleged that an officer did not investigate his complaint of being assaulted and put incorrect information on the arrest report. He also alleged that when he complained to the officer’s supervisor, that officer dismissed his complaint. Commissioner Gomes moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint’s allegations of misconduct. Vice Chair Schutte seconded, and it carried unanimously. HPC 14-07: Complainant alleged misconduct by numerous officers who handled investigations regarding her family. Vice Chair Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint’s allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Victorine seconded, and it carried unanimously. HPC 14-08: Complainant alleged that officers illegally entered his premises, used brutality, wrongfully arrested him, and made racially incentive comments. Commissioner Gomes recused himself from the investigation and voting. Vice Chair Schutte moved that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complaint’s allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Victorine seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair Bertsch announced that the Police Commission’s next monthly meeting will be on Friday, May 16, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., in the Waimea Community Center (Parks & Recreation), 62-1260 Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela, Hawai‘i. Collection of files and documents - Done. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:43 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: JOHN BERTSCH, CHAIR