NUKOLI‘I — Six Kaua‘i Police Department lieutenants and 10 sergeants were honored during the KPD 2012 Promotional Ceremony on Friday afternoon at Kaua‘i Beach Resort. “It is with great honor that we are recognizing this well-deserving group of fine men
NUKOLI‘I — Six Kaua‘i Police Department lieutenants and 10 sergeants were honored during the KPD 2012 Promotional Ceremony on Friday afternoon at Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
“It is with great honor that we are recognizing this well-deserving group of fine men and women, who have committed themselves to public service and our close-knit community,” said Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry, who was joined by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., Kaua‘i County Council member Nadine Nakamura, Kaua‘i Police Commission Chair Ernest Kanekoa Jr. and James Rodriguez, vice chairman of the Kaua‘i Chapter of the State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers.
The process to become a KPD sergeant and lieutenant is a rigorous one that started several months ago, states a county news release. The process involves a comprehensive written examination followed by an assessment test of the candidate’s knowledge and suitability for the position.
“Kaua‘i is a better place because of the dedication and sacrifice of all the people, officers and their families,” said Kaneakoa. “The promotion now makes you leaders, role models, as other officers follow in your footsteps, and I commend your family and friends for their support of you.”
Paul Applegate, Randolph Chong Tim, Sr., Robert Gausepohl, Karen Kapua, Trent Shimabukuro and Todd Tanaka were promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Darla Abbatiello, Christopher Calio, Christopher Jenkins, Elliott Ke, Anthony Morita, Len Nitta, Daniel Oliveira, Jason Overmyer, Mark Ozaki and Scott Williamson are the new KPD sergeants.
Deputy Chief Michael Contrades had the honor of calling each new lieutenant and sergeant and introducing them to the crowd of family, friends and fellow officers who crowed the Kaua‘i Beach Resort ballroom to congratulate the new officers.
• Lt. Applegate started his career in 1999 with the Hawai‘i County Police Dept., joining KPD in 2000, where he has served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, detective and most recently, community relations sergeant. Applegate will serve as commander of the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Internal Affairs Unit in the Office of the Chief of Police.
Lt. Chong Tim Sr. started with KPD in 1991, serving as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant and detective. He will serve as the commander of the Special Focus Unit of the Investigative Services Bureau.
Lt. Gausepohl, joining KPD in 1994, has served as a patrol officer, Traffic Safety Unit officer, patrol sergeant, detective and Traffic Safety Unit sergeant. He will serve as the Research and Development Lieutenant in the Administrative and Technical Bureau.
Lt. Kapua started with the KPD in 1997, serving as a radio dispatcher, patrol officer, patrol sergeant and detective. She will serve as the commander of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit in the Investigative Services Bureau.
Lt. Shimabukuro, joining KPD in 1985, has served as a radio dispatcher, patrol officer, a DARE instructor, detective and patrol sergeant. He will serve as the Lihu‘e District commander in the Patrol Services Bureau.
Lt. Tanaka, starting his KPD career in 1993, has served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant and detective. He will serve as the Administrative Lieutenant in the Patrol Services Bureau, where he will oversee Cellblock and Dispatch operations.
Sgt. Abbatiello started with KPD in 1989, serving as a radio dispatcher, a senior clerk, patrol officer, Vice and Narcotics investigator and background investigator. She will serve as the Research and Development Sergeant in the Administrative and Technical Bureau.
Sgt. Calio started with the Honolulu Police Dept. in 2001, transferring to KPD in 2004, and has worked as a patrol officer and an investigator with the Criminal Intelligence Unit in the Office of the Chief of Police. Calio will continue to serve in the CIU as the supervisor.
Sgt. Jenkins started with KPD in 2006, serving as a patrol officer and officer in charge in the Patrol Services Bureau. He will serve as the supervisor of Squad 2 in the Lihu‘e District.
Sgt. Ke started with KPD in 1999, serving as a patrol officer, a DARE instructor, an investigator in the Narcotics Enforcement Unit and as an officer in the Traffic Safety Unit. He will be assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit in the Office of the Chief of Police.
Sgt. Morita, starting with KPD in 2006, has served as a patrol officer and Officer in Charge in the patrol services bureau and will serve as the Administrative Sergeant overseeing cellblock operations.
Sgt. Nitta started with KPD in 1994, serving as a patrol officer and Officer in Charge. He will serve as a detective in the Investigative Services Bureau.
Sgt. Oliveira started with KPD in 2001, serving as a patrol officer and as an investigator in the Narcotics Enforcement Unit. He will serve as a detective in the Investigative Services Bureau.
Sgt. Overmyer, starting with KPD in 1999, has served as a patrol officer and Traffic Safety Unit officer. He will serve as the supervisor of the Traffic Safety Unit.
Sgt. Mark Ozaki, starting with KPD in 1999, served as a patrol officer and a school resource officer. He will serve as the supervisor of the school resource officers in the Investigative Services Bureau.
Sgt. Williamson, starting his career with KPD in 2008, has served as a patrol officer and will be assigned as the supervisor of Squad 3 Waimea in the Patrol Services Bureau.
“The men and women here today will serve as role models for their fellow officers and our keiki,” Carvalho said. “I am confident in their leadership ability and we thank them for making Kaua‘i a better place to live.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
