LIHU‘E — A state law enforcement conference, salaries of executive appointees and the status of a lawsuit against the mayor were among the topics discussed at a Police Commission meeting Friday. Kaua‘i will host the 2013 Hawai‘i State Law Enforcement
LIHU‘E — A state law enforcement conference, salaries of executive appointees and the status of a lawsuit against the mayor were among the topics discussed at a Police Commission meeting Friday.
Kaua‘i will host the 2013 Hawai‘i State Law Enforcement Officers Association Conference next September.
The announcement came during the Kaua‘i Police Commission meeting Friday at the Mo‘ikeha Building. It followed discussion about last weekend’s state 2012 conference in Honolulu.
“It’s not too early to start planning a conference that equals or surpasses the conference that we attended,” said Commission Vice Chair James O’Connor.
Commission Chair Ernest Kanekoa Jr. said the conference was an excellent overview of everything from forensics and DNA investigations, to the new technology used in piecing together fragmented bits of information in cyberspace in conducting background checks.
The technology overview covered cell phone photos and explained that once photos are uploaded, they still keep a GPS coordinate to show where it was taken. The attendees said police are also aware that users can manipulate coordinates and that this is a concern with cyber predators that disguise themselves as children.
Given the added expense of traveling to Kaua‘i, Commissioner Charles Iona said the conference should be worthwhile to encourage participants to make the investment.
Randall Francisco of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce said it is a great idea for Kaua‘i Police Department to show how they keep island safe for tourists and how that translates to aloha.
The state conference is in addition to the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement conference. The Police Commission will send Vice Chair James O’Connor and Commissioner Bradley Chiba to attend the NACOLE conference this October in San Diego.
Kanekoa will serve as an alternate to attend.
There was no Chief of Police report as Assistant Police Chief Alejandre Quibilan was present for Chief Darryl Perry. The commissioners also discussed communications with Personnel Services and the Salary Commission regarding performance evaluations and increases for executive appointees, including the chief and deputy chief positions.
The maximum raise approved for the Chief of Police was effective Aug. 1. The Chief of Police and the Fire Chief now each earn $114,490.
The salary increase for executive appointee Deputy Police Chief Michael Contrades that was to take effect in August, was delayed until September. The Deputy Police Chief and Deputy Fire Chief now each earn $105,660.
The Commission reported there was sufficient evidence to sustain a complaint filed June 14. It alleges that an officer fabricated and falsified statements to issue the complainant a traffic citation.
The Commission also reported there was insufficient evidence to sustain a complaint filed June 14, alleging that an officer denied the complainant’s Due Process Rights. The complainant had tried to obtain a status report regarding stolen property.
The findings are forwarded to the Office of the Chief for further review and investigation.
In the executive session, the commissioners continued attorney consultation as to the powers, duties, privileges, immunities and liabilities as they may relate to a Declaratory Action to determine the powers of the Mayor and the powers of the Police Commission.
The commissioners continued discussing hearing procedures for a Report of Investigation on Issues in the Kaua‘i Police Department for the County of Kaua‘i dated June 28.
The complaints discussed in the executive session include one filed Aug. 1 that alleges officers of the county used force, abused authority and conducted a invalid search without a warrant. A second complaint filed Aug. 23 alleges unprofessional conduct and that an officer did not allow a complainant to speak or accept a written statement.
The executive session was also to discuss and the 2012 performance evaluation for the Chief of Police and the KPD Goals for 2012. The session was also to discuss Department of Personnel Services Administrative Policies & Procedures and the selection potential stakeholders.
