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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-16 Police Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 2016 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair Schutte called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Guy Schutte, Chair Keith Morioka, Vice Chair Arthur Buckman, Commissioner Carl Carlson, Commissioner Wayne De Luz, Commissioner Robert Gomes, Sr., Commissioner Peter Hendricks, Commissioner Paul Paiva, Commissioner Absent: Jak Hu, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Paul Ferreira, Deputy Police Chief Mitchell Kanehailua, Assistant Chief Randy Apele, Major Malia Ho, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Hendricks motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None) APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 18, 2016, regular and executive sessions: Commissioner Hendricks pointed out a typo on the second page under the Finance Report. Commissioner Paiva motioned to approve the minutes as amended. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and the motioned carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES Including, but not limited to: • Crime Report: Assistant Chief Tavares reported that up to November 31, there were 2,967 serious crimes, of which 716 cases were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Units. There were 7,455 calls for service. Robberies and auto thefts Hawai'i Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 16, 2016 Page 2 have decreased. There were a couple burglaries on Alii drive. They have increased patrol in high crime areas. Ka'u is having a trend of burglaries in vacant homes. Hilo has had an increase in auto theft of parked vehicles. They are trying to increase presence in all areas. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, TEU officers will be cruising with mounted lights on cars for more presence. AC Kanehailua stated that a detective was sent to Ka'u to work full-time on the burglaries of vacant homes. Traffic Report: AC Kanehailua reported having two fatalities in North Kohala and one in Kona for the period. There was another fatality in Puna yesterday. Grants are being used to increase traffic enforcement. In response to an inquiry about Kingdom of Hawaii license plates, AC Tavares stated that the plates are considered novelty plates. They still need to have a State of Hawaii plate. Without it, they treat it the same as driving without registration. • Personnel Report: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported having 35 sworn vacancies and 25 civilian vacancies. The 85th recruit class with 14 recruits started today. Two are intergovernmental transfers from another county. • Finance Report, including a review of the 2017-18 Budget: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that they expended 45% of their budget. The commission was given the first draft of the budget that will be submitted to County Finance. Their submittal has a 5% reduction over last year. All bargaining units will see an increase next year, and all bargaining units will have a new contract July 1. Commendations of Sworn and Civilian Employees: Deputy Chief Ferreira reported that they received nine commendations involving twenty-two personnel. • Other Departmental Activities: Deputy Chief Ferreira told the commissioners that they are welcome to visit any of the stations. Personnel appreciates seeing them. Chair Schutte told Deputy Chief Ferreira that they wanted Captain Bugado of the Office of Professional Standards or someone else from that office present when they go into executive session to discuss the complaints and also for security concerns. NEW BUSINESS • Selection of Police Commission Chair and Vice Chair for 2017: Chair Schutte nominated Keith Morioka as Chair. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. Commissioner Paiva nominated Commissioner Gomes as Vice Chair. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. Recess was called at 9:35 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:50 a.m. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 16, 2016 Page 3 EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Hendricks motioned 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, to review the evaluation of an employee, and may 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). Executive session convened at 9:36 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 12:42 p.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • Investigation of Complaints ✓HPC 16-34: Complainant complained of an officer's speeding during his transport. Commissioner Paiva motioned to refer the complaint to the Police Chief for further investigation. Commissioner Hendricks seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-38: Complainant requested a reconsideration of the commission's decision that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations of misconduct. No motion was made to reconsider the complaint. ✓ HPC 16-39: Complainant alleged that an officer wrote the wrong information on the police report, and that the other driver should have gotten another citation. Commissioner Paiva motioned to refer the complaint to the Police Chief for customer service and procedural concerns as noted in the complaint. Commissioner Gomes seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓HPC 16-41: Complainant alleged that officers used excessive force during his arrest. Vice Chair Morioka motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations of misconduct and that the officers' actions were lawful and proper. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-42: Complainant alleged that officers broke her screen door and took her children away from her. Commissioner Hendricks motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations of misconduct. Commissioner Paiva seconded, and it carried unanimously. ✓ HPC 16-43: Complainant alleged that an officer was involved in the seizure of his wife's vehicle, and he wants it returned. Commissioner De Luz motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations of misconduct. Vice Chair Morioka seconded, and it carried unanimously. It was noted that the vehicle was returned to the complainant. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes December 16, 2016 Page 4 • Correspondence 16-07, request for representation by Corporation Counsel in CV 16-1-01359 for Officers Kim Veincent and Bryson Miyose. Commissioner Hendricks motioned to approve the request for representation. Commissioner De Luz seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Schutte announced that the Police Commission's next monthly meeting will be on Friday, January 20, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G Conference Rm., 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. • Collection of files and documents (Done) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:57 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: GUY SCHUTTE, CHAIR