Private investigators may handle the job One of the Kaua’i County Police Commission’s functions is to investigate complaints by civilians against Police Department personnel. Usually, the commission looks into the allegations with the help of the department’s investigators. But because
Private investigators may handle the job
One of the Kaua’i County Police Commission’s functions is to investigate complaints by civilians against Police Department personnel.
Usually, the commission looks into the allegations with the help of the department’s investigators. But because a complaint against chief George Freitas was filed last Friday by two of the department’s top-ranking officers, the investigation will have to be done outside regular channels.
Department sources have said the commission will farm out the task of looking into allegations. Both private investigative firms on the island and the state attorney general have been mentioned, but no official decision has been made on who will investigate the complaint.
County officials have not confirmed the nature of the complaint. But according to the Associated Press, it revolves around Freitas allegedly interfering in an investigation of former police officer Nelson Gabriel.
Gabriel is charged with 18 counts of sexual assault on a female family member who was 13 and 14 years old during the period in question, according to Bryant Zane, a deputy county prosecutor who is trying the case.
Gabriel’s non-jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 24 in Fifth Circuit Court.
Gabriel is also charged with kidnapping. If convicted on any two first-degree felony charges of sexual assault and/or kidnapping, or two first-degree felony sexual assaults on a minor under the age of 14, he would face a possible life prison sentence.
“I don’t foresee a plea bargain. We are really far apart. There is no plea offer on the table right now. All previous plea offers have expired,” Zane said.
Gabriel is represented by noted Honolulu defense attorney Michael Green.
Gabriel was relieved from active duty in 1999 when the charges first surfaced, but has worked since at the main police station in Lihu’e, primarily in dispatch.
All press queries on the complaint against Freitas have been routed to county attorney Hartwell Blake, who has been unavailable for comment. He is traveling off-island.
Freitas, 57, became chief in October 1995.
While he is on paid leave pending an investigation, deputy chief Willie Ihu, 60, is the acting chief.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
