LIHU‘E — Filling the gaps left by Kaua‘i Police Department retirees with a combined 117 years of experience will be difficult, KPD Chief Darryl Perry said Monday. On Friday, Perry announced an exodus of both uniformed and civilian KPD employees,
LIHU‘E — Filling the gaps left by Kaua‘i Police Department retirees with a combined 117 years of experience will be difficult, KPD Chief Darryl Perry said Monday.
On Friday, Perry announced an exodus of both uniformed and civilian KPD employees, with the retirements of Assistant Chief Gordon Isoda (25 years of service), Lt. Patrick “Pudgie” Balbarino (29 years) and Sgt. Glenn Morita (29 years), and Estelle Furuike, a fixture in the records division for over 34 years.
“These officers will be sorely missed because of the void they leave behind in their years of experience and service to the community, but I wish them the very best in all of their future endeavors,” Perry said Monday via e-mail.
Furuike’s last day of work was Monday, and Perry presented her a commendation of service “for her commitment, dedication, sacrifices of her and her family over the years in service to the community.”
Perry announced the uniformed men’s retirements at the regular August meeting of the Kaua‘i Police Commission Friday.
On a sadder note, Perry also announced the deaths of KPD dispatcher Joni Craig, accountant Evelyn Branco and retired Sgt. Hanzs Martins.
Questioned by Commission Vice Chair Charles Fulks Jr. about a shortage of police safety officers who work in the KPD cellblock, Perry said there is a list of 29 potential PSOs, and background checks are being conducted, with several other candidates not meeting qualifications.
