LIHU‘E – K.C. Lum and Ron Venneman were sworn in as the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in a ceremony held Friday. Judge Trudy Senda of the Fifth Circuit Court conducted the swearing-in. Lum was named Chief
LIHU‘E – K.C. Lum and Ron Venneman were sworn in as the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in a ceremony held Friday. Judge Trudy Senda of the Fifth Circuit Court conducted the swearing-in.
Lum was named Chief of Police by the Kaua‘i Police Commission on September 29 and announced Venneman as his deputy selection on October 5.
Prior to being appointed Chief of Police, Lum served as Commander of the Hanalei District of the Kaua‘i Police Department, and has over 21 years of service to the department.
Venneman was previously a traffic crash reconstruction investigator and drug evaluation and classification program coordinator for the drug recognition expert program. He brings over 30 years of police experience with him in his new role.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste said he supports the selection of both Lum and Venneman.
“The community is fortunate to have two men of their caliber leading the Kaua‘i Police Department forward,” Baptiste said. “We expect to see great leadership, effort and success from this team.”
At the swearing-in, both men thanked their families and the Kaua‘i Police Department for their support, love and friendship.
Lum said that during his years in the KPD, he never expected that he would one day hold the top post, and encouraged others in the department to have those goals before them.
Five Kapa‘a High School students took advantage of Teachers Institute Day to witness the swearing in ceremonies
The students who range from ninth through twelfth grades have been part of the program to gain a better understanding of how the Kaua‘i Police Department works.
Crystal Dawson, a senior, said she’s been in the Explorers for two years now while some of the others, ninth graders Amber Dawson and Ikaika Fernandez, “just entered the program, and are just beginning to learn.”
“We’re experiencing what the staff goes through,” the group unanimously agreed. “Including roadblocks!”
“It’s fun to see what they do,” Crystal said. “And, to see what they pick up (evidence).”
KPD Officer Joe Kaauwai is the group’s immediate supervisor, and the quintet agreed, “He’s funny.” Another added, “He’s cool. And, he’s not mean like everyone claims.”
The five students are part of the Kapa‘a High School J.R.O.T.C. program operating under Col. Jerel Knudsen, and additionally, are all part of the Kapa‘a High School air riflery team under the coaching of Sgt. Major McGuire.
Missing from the ceremonies were Explorers Andrew Muraoka and Ashley Kuhaulua.
