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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-08 Police Commission Regular MinutesHAWAII POLICE COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AUPUNI CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 101 PAUAHI ST., HILO, HAWAII CALL TO ORDER Chair De Luz called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. He introduced new commissioners Denby Toci of Council District 5 and Thomas Brown of Council District 3. ROLL CALL Present: Wayne De Luz, Chair Colleen Pasco, Vice Chair Thomas Brown, Commissioner Joan Obra, Commissioner Denby Toci, Commissioner Absent: Jak Hu, Commissioner Jude Mattos, Commissioner Paul Paiva, Commissioner A quorum was present. Also present: Kenneth Bugado, Deputy Police Chief Mitchell Kanehailua, Assistant Chief James O'Connor, Assistant Chief Samuel Thomas, Assistant Chief Burt Shimabukuro, Captain Malia Hall, Deputy Corporation Counsel Josie Pelayo, Secretary STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS (None.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice Chair Pasco motioned to approve the minutes of January 18, 2019, regular and executive session minutes. Commissioner Obra seconded, and it carried unanimously. POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT ON DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES • Crime Report: Assistant Chief Kanehailua reported that up through January 31, 2019, there were 4,793 serious crimes. Of these, the Criminal Investigation Units investigated 566 cases. In the month of January, they had 8,806 calls for service. Kona had an increase in burglaries and unauthorized entry of motor vehicles, also known as auto thefts. Ka'u also had an increase in burglaries and auto thefts. Hilo had an increase in auto thefts in the Boiling Pots and Kaumana Caves area. They are working to identify suspects and working with enforcement agencies. Unauthorized Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes February 8, 2019 Page 2 entry of motor vehicles are mostly smash and grab. Targets are mostly rentals or unlocked vehicles. • Traffic Report: Assistant Chief O'Connor reported that for fiscal year-to-date, they had 565 traffic crashes, 19 traffic fatalities, 8 DUI fatalities, and 595 DUI arrests. So far this year, they had 2 traffic fatalities. For the month of January, 5,007 citations were issued for moving regulatory — 3,669, seat belt — 292, child restraint — 32, and speeding — 1,014. • Personnel Report: Assistant Chief Thomas reported that they have 13 sworn vacancies. The 89th recruit class has 21 in academic training. The 90th recruit class is now down to 7 after resignations. A new recruitment written test is scheduled for February. The agility test will be in March. • Finance Report: Assistant Chief Thomas reported that they are over a million dollars over their budget due to the lava event. They have some big ticket items to purchase. They are leasing 150 mobile data computers for officer vehicles. They are trying to procure new surveillance equipment for the Hilo cellblock. They purchased 10 blue and white vehicles and hope to have the first ones on the island in a couple of months. They submitted their budget in January, but it is still fluid. The County instructed a 3% budget cut. They submitted two budgets, a 2% reduction and another a status quo. • Commendations of Sworn and Civilian Employees: Deputy Chief Bugado reported having 7 commendations involving 15 personnel since the last meeting. • Other Department Activities: Deputy Chief Bugado reported that Chief Ferreira is attending a Police Chief's Narcotics Conference in Washington, D.C. A hot button issue for Hawaii County is the TMT Project. Police will take the lead on law enforcement. Their goal is safety of protestors and workers on the project. They hope there will be no arrest, and that protests will be done lawfully. Law enforcement is a reflection on them. They want to ensure that they have the most decision-making ability in responding to protests. They will do everything to ensure the safety of the protestors and workers on the project. This will put a strain on their personnel and budget. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion on the Program of Work for the Police Commission and Police Chief: Chair De Luz reported that they will work with the Chief on this. He should have a draft ready by the next meeting. CHAIR'S REPORT ON OTHER COMMISSION ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS Chair De Luz reported that the Honolulu Police Commission is hosting the State of Hawaii Police Commissioners' Conference on April 25-26. He encouraged everyone to attend. Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes February 8, 2019 Page 3 Recess was called at 9:40 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:51 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair Pasco motioned to meet in executive session to consider charges against officers or employees of the Hawaii Police Department where matters affecting privacy will be involved, 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 Toci seconded, and it carried unanimously. Executive session convened at 9:52 a.m. Regular session reconvened at 11:18 a.m. ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION MATTERS • HPC 18-36: Complainant alleged that the police department has not responded to his request to tow abandoned vehicles from his subdivision. Vice Chair Pasco motioned to refer the complaint to the Police Chief for procedural concerns and other concerns discussed in executive session. Commissioner Obra seconded, and it carried unanimously. • HPC 18-37: Complainant alleged that an officer harassed him. Vice Chair Pasco motioned that there was insufficient evidence to prove the complainant's allegations. Commissioner Brown seconded, and it carried unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chair De Luz announced that the next monthly meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2019, 9:00 a.m., in the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua- Kona, Hawaii. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Submitted for posting on 3/21/19 by Josie Pelayo, Secretary (Not reviewed by Police Commission.)