An investigator for the Honolulu Police Commission will investigate a complaint against Kaua’i County Police chief George Freitas, county officials announced Friday. The county Police Commission, which earlier had ruled out an internal probe because of conflicts of interest, has
An investigator for the Honolulu Police Commission will investigate a complaint against Kaua’i County Police chief George Freitas, county officials announced Friday.
The county Police Commission, which earlier had ruled out an internal probe because of conflicts of interest, has told the county attorney to turn the task over to the O’ahu official, who normally investigates police-related citizens’ complaints for the city and county of Honolulu.
Freitas was ordered onto paid leave Aug. 13 after formal allegations were filed with the commission that he interfered with a Police Department investigation of one of its officers. The officer already was facing criminal charges of sexual assault against a minor.
According to Kaua’i County officials, the investigator from Honolulu will likely solicit statements from all parties to the complaint against Freitas. Eventually, the investigator’s findings will be submitted to the commission, which will decide whether the complaints warrant further action, including possible discipline ranging from suspension to termination.
If the complaints are upheld, Freitas could request a hearing before the commission, after which the commission would decide its action.
Freitas could appeal an unfavorable decision to Fifth Circuit Court.
County attorney Hartwell Blake said Friday morning that Freitas hadn’t been informed of the selection of an investigator.
Freitas, who yesterday ended his third week on paid leave, couldn’t be reached for comment. But a week ago, he objected to earlier reports that the commission was considering hiring a private detective for the probe, and said he wanted the state attorney general to handle it.
Blake said there is no clear timetable for starting or completing the investigation.
Finishing by the end of September or early October “would be very good,” he said. “We want to finish this as soon as we can, for George’s sake.”
Editor Pat Jenkins can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 227) and mailto:pjenkins@pulitzer.net
