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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-19 Police Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MAY 19, 2017 WEST HAWAII CIVIC CENTER 74-5044 ANE KEOHOKALOLE HWY, KAILUA-KONA, HI CALL TO ORDER Chair Morioka called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. ROLL CALL Present: Keith Morioka, Chair Peter Hendricks, Vice Chair Arthur Buckman, Commissioner Carl Carlson, Commissioner Wayne De Luz, Commissioner Paul Paiva, Commissioner Absent: Robert Gomes, Sr., Commissioner Jak Hu, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Kenneth Bugado, Deputy Police Chief Marshall Kanehailua, Assistant Chief Henry Tavares, Assistant Chief Robert Wagner, Major Burt Shimabukuro, Captain Malia Hall, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Chair Hendricks motioned to approve the agenda. Commissioner Paiva seconded, and it carried unanimously. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Hendricks motioned to approve the regular and executive session minutes of April 21, 2017. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES • Crime Report: Assistant Chief Tavares reported that up through April 30, 2017, there were 6,166 serious crimes, of which 1,299 were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Unit. They had 8,362 calls for service in April: 2,506 for criminal/traffic and 5,856 for miscellaneous public assistance. Hamakua had an increase in burglaries and thefts; suspects were identified. Puna and Hilo had an increase in auto thefts and Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 19, 2017 Page 2 burglaries which are being committed by a group of individuals. They are arrested but then released; it's a vicious cycle. These individuals are aware of the police department's pursuit policies. They have increased their task force unit to apprehend these individuals. Commissioner Carlson asked about some sort of relief with car thieves being caught and then released. Assistant Chief Tavares stated that judges release them, and they can't do anything about it. The public in Puna and Ka'u want more officers. Crime in the Volcano area, which has spiked, is being committed by the same individuals. Individuals have been identified and caught, over and over. He doesn't know if they need more prison space. Commissioner De Luz entered at 9:11 a.m. Commissioner Carlson asked about having the Mayor create a task force or perhaps some sort of research that could assist with this problem. Commissioner Buckman asked if the other islands have the same issues. Assistant Tavares stated that he didn't know about the other islands. Their pursuit policy is always being reviewed. He can't see where it could be improved. They have to have a balance, and he believes they do. • Traffic Report: Major Wagner reported that as of May 3, 2017, they had 1,166 traffic crashes, 30 traffic fatalities, 28 DUI fatalities, and 965 DUI arrests. For the month of April 2017, 5,644 citations were issued: 4,022 moving/regulatory, 455 seatbelt, 31 child restraint, and 1,136 for speeding. Two days ago they had two more traffic fatalities. • Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that they have only one sworn vacancy. They just started the 86th recruit class with 16 recruits. They also started the recruitment process for the 87th recruit class. The 85th recruit class will graduate next month. They started with 14 recruits, and now have only 6. They are not looking to just fill vacancies, they want quality individuals, and they want the best. The recruitment process is a weaning out stage. The physical aspect of the training weeds out a lot of people. They are going through PO III recruitment. They have a pretty good list of quality candidates for the sergeant's promotion. The lieutenant's list is also being completed. They agreed with the union to allow them a month to study. Their public relations specialist position has been filled. Dispatcher vacancies were all filled, but then two dropped out. School crossing guard recruitment is never ending. It's difficult to retain them because they only work two hours a day. • Finance Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that their overtime budget was cut, and so every district is now over its overtime budget. The new budget has additional overtime cuts, again. In the budget hearings, the Chief told the County Council that if something happens, they have to respond. He believes the overtime trend will continue to the end of the fiscal year. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 19, 2017 Page 3 They are holding off on their records management system CAD upgrade which is similar to Kauai PD. Kauai has had some problems, and so they want Kauai to iron out their problems before they move on with their upgrade. They were advised by County Finance to go through a 5 -year lease program for their firearms replacement program. Now, the procurement office is questioning why lease and not buy. It wasn't their decision. All they want is the guns, and they need the guns. Their current Taser CEW (conducted electrical weapon) was discontinued, and they are transitioning to the newer model. With regards to body cameras, they would need a whole new IT staff to manage software and storage which would be very expensive. Commendations of Employees: Deputy Chief Bugado reported that they received 9 commendations involving 14 personnel since the last commission meeting. Other Departmental Activities, including Five -Year Vision Plan 2017-2022: Deputy Chief Bugado reported that the 85th recruit class graduation will be held on June 15. Police week started this Monday with a ceremony in Hilo and then another ceremony in Kona the next day. Station tours were conducted. The 5 -Year Vison Plan included increases in facilities, although with the current budget situation, it would be difficult to achieve. Vice Chair Hendricks stated that their staff did a very good job at putting together the 5 -year plan. Vice Chair Hendricks stated that he and Commissioner Carlson are working on the Chief's Program of Work. NEW BUSINESS Review of the Police Commission's Rules and Regulations for possible revisions: Chair Morioka reported that they have been looking at the commission's rules and possible revisions. Ms. Hall asked them to submit changes to Ms. Pelayo who would then send them to her for review, or they could form a committee to work on changes and bring back the information to the commission. It was decided that Ms. Pelayo would send the commissioners the rules of all the other commission's in the state for them to compare. Recommendations will be sent to Ms. Pelayo by July 31 for discussion at their August meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair 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, 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). Commissioner Paiva seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 10:18 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 11:12 a.m. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes May 19, 2017 Page 4 ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS Consideration and Investigation of Complaints • HPC 17-08: Complainant alleged that he was unlawfully arrested and detained. He also alleged that the police did not properly investigate his complaint and his son's complaint. Commissioner Carlson motioned to refer the complaint to the Police Chief for further investigation. Commissioner Buckman seconded, and it carried unanimously. HPC 17-12: The complaint was received after the 90 -day filing deadline. The commission only determined whether or not to accept the complaint for investigation. Commissioner Buckman motioned to accept the complaint for investigation. Commissioner Carlson seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Chair Morioka announced that the next meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 16, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo, Hawaii. • Collection of files and documents. (Done.) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. SUBMITTED BY: JOSIE PELAYO, SECRETARY APPROVED BY: KEITH MORIOKA, CHAIR