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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-17 Police Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17, 2016 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI STREET, HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Schutte called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Guy Schutte, Chair Keith Morioka, Vice Chair Arthur Buckman, Commissioner Robert Gomes, Sr., Commissioner Peter Hendricks, Commissioner Absent: Jak Hu, 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 Jennifer Ng, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Hendricks motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Correspondence 16-04: Council Member Greggor (lagan requested a discussion on the Police Commission's Rule 9, Processing of Complaints. Council Member (lagan came before the commission. He stated that he wants to talk about Rule 9. He also wants to talk about an additional substation for Puna and a task force to address property crimes including agricultural theft. He will send in information for a future agenda item. Due to a misunderstanding, he did not speak about Rule 9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • February 19, 2016, regular and executive sessions: Vice Chair Morioka motioned to approve the minutes. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE • 16-03: Party made a complaint but refused to have it notarized. She complained about how police officers responded to her calls of someone in a lava tube under the concrete slab of her house. Party was not present, and there was no discussion. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 17, 2016 Page 2 • 16-04: Council Member Greggor Ilagan requested a discussion on the Police Commission's Rule 9, Processing of Complaints. See "Statements from Public." • 16-05: Invitation to the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Conference September 7-9, 2016, hosted by the Kauai Police Department. No discussion. 16-06: Request for representation by Corporation Counsel for Officer Roberto Segobia in Civil No. 16-1-0159. Vice Chair Morioka motioned to approve representation by Corporation Counsel. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously. Vice Chair Morioka motioned to accept and file all correspondence. Commissioner Hendricks 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 through May 31, 2016, they had 7,760 serious crimes. In a four-day period, they had eight burglaries in Puna, which is extremely high, but not a trend. Kona had a decrease in unauthorized entries of motor vehicles. Patrol and CPOs continue to share information, and they have increased police presence. Ag theft dollar value is categorized differently from property crime, and overall, property crime is greater. AC Kealoha stated that they have issues in Kona with theft of coffee and avocado. • Traffic Report: Assistant Chief Kealoha reported receiving 8,414 calls for service in May. Up to May, they had 16 traffic fatalities compared to 14 last year. This includes 7 DUI fatalities compared to 3 last year. In May, 5,051 citations were issues. Due to complaints of speeding in Hawaiian Paradise Park, they ran the stealth monitor. The average speed was up to 48 mph in the 35 mph zone during after work hours between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. They had complaints about speeding in Puako, and the stealth monitor showed the average speed to be below the speed limit. Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that they foresee a number of retirements toward the end of the year. Their current recruitment started with over 534 applicants, of which 518 met the minimum requirements, and 92 passed the written and agility tests. They are screening the 92 applicants for 20 positions. They hope to start the class at end or beginning of the year. Their current recruit class started with 19; they now have 17. They have reached out into the community to fill the school crossing guard positions, but it is difficult to fill because it is only for two hours a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. They conducted interviews for the 6 radio dispatcher vacancies. They hope to make a selection for the firearms registration clerk next week. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 17, 2016 Page 3 Finance Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that expenditures are under budget. The Mayor signed off on the new fiscal year budget. They are transitioning to a Glock 9 mm which is in the budget and will show a savings. The purchase will include holsters and a buy-back program. Commendations of Sworn and Civilian Employees: Chief Kubojiri reported having 38 commendations since the last commission meeting. Other Departmental Activities: Chief Kubojiri told the commission that they are representatives of the community who hear complaints and what the police department can improve on, but he doesn't know what the issues are. They have had community meetings in every district, but what they think is important might not be to the community there. He asked for the commission's help in understanding their community and building better relationships. They want to know about problems in the community and how they can rectify the problems and keep the community safe. He asked that they work together beyond hearing complaints. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the public.) Commissioner Gomes 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 Section13-20 (b). Vice Chair Morioka seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:05 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 2:50 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Consideration and Investigation of Complaints ✓ HPC 16-10: Complainant alleged that a dispatcher purposely failed to dispatch officers to his family home. Commissioner Hendricks motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Vice Chair Morioka seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-12A, B, C: Complainants complained about how officers handled their traffic stop when someone reported that someone was waving a firearm in a vehicle. Vice Chair Morioka motioned to refer the complaint to the Police Chief for further investigation and to address concerns discussed in executive session. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-13: Complainant alleged that officers did not intervene in a government land auction when she made allegations of a crime. The complaint was received after the 90 -day filing deadline. Commissioner Hendricks motioned to decline Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 17, 2016 Page 4 investigation due to the 90 -day rule. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-14: Complainant alleged that when she complained at the Hilo police station about a government land auction violating HRS 172-11, the police didn't know anything about that HRS. Vice Chair Morioka motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-15: Complainant complained about responses she received from the police when she asked about neck strikes on females and juveniles. Commissioner Hendricks motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-16: Complainant alleged that the police refused to take her complaint about a Trust having possession of sugar lands. Commissioner Hendricks motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Commissioners Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-17: Complainant asked for an officer's resignation but made no specific complaint against the officer. Commissioner Buckman motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Vice Chair Morioka seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-21: Complainant complained about how officers handled her traffic stop. The complaint was received after the 90 -day filing deadline. Vice Chair Morioka motioned to accept the complaint for investigation. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-22: Complainant alleged that he was arrested for a made-up charge. The complaint was received after the 90 -day filing deadline. Commissioner Buckman motioned to decline investigation due to the 90 -day rule. Vice Chair Morioka seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-23: Complainant alleged that an officer assaulted and kidnapped him. Vice Chair Morioka motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-25: Complainant alleged that an officer refused to take her complainant against another officer. Commissioner Gomes motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes June 17, 2016 Page 5 ✓ HPC 16-26: Complainant alleged that an officer denied her access to her medical marijuana. Vice Chair Morioka motioned to refer the complaint to the Police Chief for further investigation and to address concerns discussed in executive session. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Schutte announced that the Police Commission's next monthly meeting will be on Friday, July 15, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Room, 75-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. • Collection of files and documents. (Done.) ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: APPROVED: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY GUY SCHUTTE, CHAIR