LIHU‘E — Fewer students are skipping school and a double-barreled shotgun is off the streets due to local law enforcement efforts earlier this year. Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry, along with the county Police Commission, presented the department’s Officer of
LIHU‘E — Fewer students are skipping school and a double-barreled shotgun is off the streets due to local law enforcement efforts earlier this year.
Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry, along with the county Police Commission, presented the department’s Officer of the Month recognition to two officers at last week’s Police Commission meeting at the Pi‘ikoi Building.
Officers Damien “Kaina” McCallum and Aaron Relacion were recognized for their outstanding efforts in law enforcement, a county news release states.
McCallum was the officer in charge for three operations conducted earlier this year within the Waimea/Koloa district.
The first operation focused on deterring truancy after officers noticed a rise in school-aged children loitering in the community during school hours. The one-day detail resulted in 19 juveniles being detained and returned to school.
Another detail initiated by McCallum resulted in 10 arrests for outstanding bench warrants.
The third operation focused on enforcing the distracted driving law. The increased enforcement resulted in nine citations for violating the law, 43 other citations and two bench warrant arrests.
Additionally, McCallum’s squad issued 388 citations and made 45 arrests in the month of March.
“We recognize Officer McCallum for his ability to lead his team in enforcing our laws for the betterment of the community and the Kaua‘i Police Department,” Perry said in the release.
Relacion was recognized for his keen observation and investigative skills during an incident that took place at about 2 a.m. March 14.
While driving on Kuhio Highway in Hanalei, Relacion recognized a passing vehicle as one that belonged to a suspect who was wanted for a burglary case and outstanding bench warrants. The same individual had run from police officers just a few days prior.
When Officer Relacion initiated a vehicle pursuit, the driver fled on foot after crashing his vehicle into an embankment.
Unable to locate the suspect, Relacion returned to the vehicle and observed a clear bulbous pipe, commonly used for smoking crystal methamphetamine, along with a double-barreled shotgun. The vehicle was seized along with the evidence.
The suspect was later apprehended.
“It is because of Officer Relacion’s diligence that we have one less illegal weapon on our streets,” Perry said.
