HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-17 Police Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
JULY 17, 2015
WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER, BLDG. G CONFERENCE RM.
74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HIGHWAY, KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Schutte called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Guy K. Schutte, Chair
Arthur F. Buckman, Commissioner
Robert G. Gomes, Sr., Commissioner
Peter L. Hendricks, Commissioner
Peggy K. Hilton, Commissioner
Keith T. Morioka, Commissioner
Absent: John M. Bertsch, Vice Chair
Also Present: Harry Kubojiri, Police Chief
Marshall Kanehailua, Assistant Chief
Paul Kealoha, Assistant Chief
Henry Tavares, Assistant Chief
Kenneth Bugado, Captain
Belinda Castillo Hall, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Josie Pelayo, Secretary
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES
Commendations: Chief Kubojiri presented a certificate of merit to Officer Sean Smith
who was off-duty when he helped save a man from drowning at Kua Bay in February.
Off-duty Officer Daniel Rances also assisted, but was not at this meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Morioka motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Gomes
seconded, and it carried unanimously.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Hendricks motioned to approve the minutes of June 26, 2015, regular
and executive sessions. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES
Including, but not limited to:
• Crime report: Assistant Chief Tavares reported that up to June 31, they had 9,242
serious crimes. The Criminal Investigation Unit investigated 2002 of these cases. In
Hawaii Police Commission
Regular Session Minutes
July 17, 2015
Page 2
the month of June they had 8,640 calls for service. Crime trends show that vehicles
are still being stolen. Auto thefts usually increase in the summer months in
swimming areas, along rivers, and hiking trails. Burglaries decreased from the prior
month. Burglaries in upper Puna decreased, which they attribute to patrol and
neighborhood watches. In Kona, vehicles are being stolen mostly at night. Ka'u had
a significant increase in property crimes. They continue with police presence in the
high crime areas.
Traffic report: Assistant Chief Kealoha reported having one fatality in June on the
Queen K Highway when a moped failed to yield to a semi -truck. The passenger on
the moped died. Alcohol and drugs seemed to be a factor. Many accidents are due
to driver error and could have been prevented. Police presence during the first
watch has been increased. There were no traffic trends. They do monthly traffic
analyses, and are trying to do everything they can to decrease accidents.
Personnel report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that the 83rd recruit class
started with 19 recruits; they now have 16. The 84th recruit class is in progress. The
82nd recruit class was assigned to Kona, filling all vacancies there. They will be
doing sergeant promotions. Current PO Ills will rotate back into patrol, and they will
start a new PO III recruitment. Transfers are done by position and seniority, and the
Chief has the final say. They hope to be fully staffed by the end of this fiscal year.
Dispatch has a lieutenant vacancy. Seven people are in dispatch training.
Finance report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that they ended the fiscal year
with salaries and wages at 97.3% of the budget. A balance in the budget is returned
to the general fund. New projects are upgrades to the CAD and records
management system.
• Commendations of sworn and civilian employees: Chief Kubojiri reported having
four commendations since the last meeting.
Other departmental activities: Chief Kubojiri reported on the hostage situation in
Kohala where a female and an officer were shot. The officer is going through
reconstructive surgery today. The female is doing well. Assistant Chief Kanehailua
oversaw the negotiating and tactical teams. During the incident, he and Deputy
Chief Ferreira assisted in dispatch because they did not have a supervisor.
Commissioner Gomes stated that everything was handled very nicely, and he
received a lot of compliments for the police department. AC Kanehailua reported
that all 15 tactical officers from every district responded.
Recess was called at 10:00 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:20 a.m.
Hawai'i Police Commission
Regular Session Minutes
July 17, 2015
Page 3
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Hilton 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). Commissioner Morioka seconded, and it carried
unanimously.
Executive session convened at 10:21 a.m.
Regular session reconvened at 10:30 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Chair Schutte announced that the Police Commission's next monthly meeting will be
on Friday, August 7, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., at the Waimea Community Center, 62-1260
Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela, Hawai'i.
• Collection of files and documents. (Done.)
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY
APPROVED BY: GUY K. SCHUTTE, CHAIR