LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Police Commission members have been publicly asked by a Kaua‘i police officer to select the most qualified candidate to become the next permanent police chief. Speaking at a Police Commission meeting at the historic County Building last
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Police Commission members have been publicly asked by a Kaua‘i police officer to select the most qualified candidate to become the next permanent police chief.
Speaking at a Police Commission meeting at the historic County Building last Friday, KPD officer Damian Loo said the decision will affect KPD for years to come.
“The future of the department rests with the commission,” Loo said. “Your decisions are going to affect us. It is affecting us now.”
Police commissioners recently announced interim Police Chief K.C. Lum, KPD Lt. Regina Ventura and Darryl Perry, a retired Honolulu Police Department administrator and a former KPD officer for a time, as the three finalist for the position of permanent KPD chief.
Both Lum and Ventura attended the commission meeting as part of their duty.
Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho said she felt that all three candidates “are great,” and that police commissioners should talk with as many people as possible, including KPD officers, before making a decision.
During the meeting, Loo also talked about how dangerous crime has become on Kaua‘i, and the dangers KPD officers face on the job.
Loo’s comments marked the first time in recent memory a KPD officer publicly addressed the Police Commission about morale issues of KPD, and other department matters.
“That is my opinion, and I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore,” Loo said.
Loo declined to delve into morale problems he believes have affected KPD, but police commissioner Michael Ching invited Loo to talk more on the matter, if he wanted do, during an executive session.
Government observers contend KPD’s morale problem surfaced during the final years former KPD Chief George Freitas led the department. Freitas retired in October 2003 after eight years as head of the department. Freitas sued the Police Commission in 2001 after he was suspended for allowing his then-girlfriend to ride in an unmarked police vehicle.
Freitas also was suspended for allegedly being disrespectful to a subordinate. Freitas was later restored to his post, and the lawsuit was dismissed. Freitas later was sued by a police officer who claimed the chief could not properly manage his officers.
Tomorrow: Part two
