LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Commission elected a new chair and vice chair for 2013 during a Friday meeting. Current Vice Chair James O’Connor will serve as chair, and Charles Iona was elected to serve as vice chair. O’Connor was
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Commission elected a new chair and vice chair for 2013 during a Friday meeting.
Current Vice Chair James O’Connor will serve as chair, and Charles Iona was elected to serve as vice chair.
O’Connor was nominated by Iona, who said the commission needs his capable and level-headed leadership to guide the commission through the coming year.
The commissioners commended current Chair Ernest Kanekoa Jr. for what they described as a particularly challenging year. The year-long issue of the mayor’s supervisory authority over the chief of police led to the commission’s decision to appeal a 5th Circuit Court decision that confirmed that authority under the County Charter.
Kanekoa said there were many challenges and that the commission is striving to move forward with decisions that carry into 2013. He thanked the County Boards and Commission for its guidance through a complicated process.
“It has been an interesting year, to say the least,” Kanekoa said. “The work is not finished and we still have to move forward.”
Iona said it was a rocky year and that Kanekoa kept the dialogue open and allowed all views in matters that came to their attention.
Chief of Police Darryl Perry thanked Kanekoa for his leadership on behalf of the department. He said Kanekoa displayed “compassion and sensitivity on the issues.”
Community member Glenn Mickens commended the work of the police and the commission. He encouraged the appeal and said he hopes the higher court will see that charter intended for the commissions of appointed citizenry to act as a “firewall” between county departments and the mayor.
Chief of Police Darryl Perry concurred with the statement.
“We are here for the people and that is the reason why we are moving forward on this,” Perry said. “I do not want the next police commission, nor police chief to go through what has been happening.”
Report from
chief of police
The accident that claimed the life of a motorcyclist Wednesday became the eighth road fatality of the year for Kaua‘i. Perry said the death is unfortunate and asked the public to drive safely, wear their seat belts, not to use cell phones while driving and not to drink before getting behind the wheel.
Perry also alerted the public of a rash of recent copper thefts. He said the suspects stole $8,000 worth of copper in one incident and recommended the public to take adequate precautions.
His next topic was the Kaua‘i Police Department website, where a link to a YouTube video will instruct people on possible actions to take during an active shooter event. It was initiated following the recent Newtown, Conn. massacre at an elementary school.
Perry said people should first try to run and get out of the situation as quickly and safely as possible. If they can’t, then they should attempt to hide and lock themselves in a secure space.
If it is impossible to get away from the assaulter, then Perry said that it is recommended to fight for their lives as a last resort.
Another video link offers voice and transcript samples of how a scam artist works over the phone. The recent “Nigerian Scam” targets elderly and the vulnerable, Perry said, by offering money after the victim unwittingly wires “tax and processing fees.”
Law enforcement conference
The commission, in preparing to host the Hawai‘i State Law Enforcement Officers Association Conference next September, established a Permitted Interaction Group. The sub-committee of Commissioners Randall Francisco, James O’Connor and Alfredo Nebre Jr. will work on conference organizing duties and present recommendations to the full commission.
OPA
Justin Kollar addressed the Commission for the first time in his capacity as County Prosecuting Attorney. He was previously a Deputy County Attorney who worked exclusively with police matters until he was sworn in as the elected prosecutor on Dec. 4.
Present with several deputies, Kollar said he wanted to reiterate his administration’s commitment to cooperation and partnership with police. He said that recent challenges in logistics, personnel and resources have been overcome with the aid of police.
Kollar said the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney would restart weekly meeting with detectives to help staff bring cases to court more quickly and to aid with investigations. He said police also have 24-hour access to the OPA.
The deputies will work with police recruits on the Hawai‘i Penal Code, Kollar said. He said it is an opportunity to bond with recruits and to form lasting and productive relationships.
Kollar also recited the new OPA mission statement.
“It is our mission to promote the fair, impartial and expeditious pursuit of justice in every case, and to ensure safer communities and promote integrity in our profession,” Kollar said. “It is our mission to temper justice with compassion and to do our work in an open, transparent and accountable way.”
Sen. Daniel Inouye
Commissioner lona took a moment to remember Sen. Daniel Inouye. He said the late U.S. senator was an advocate for law enforcement for many years and that the Kaua‘i Police Department has benefited from his leadership.
Complaints
In other action, the Commission announced that insufficient information was available to sustain a complaint filed against the county alleging that a police officer had improperly handled a report of an assault that resulted in the complainant’s wrongful arrest.
The commission went into executive session to discuss other complaints. One filed on Oct. 19 alleges that an officer “was unprofessional by using intimidation tactics, abused authority and made threatening remarks.”
Another complaint filed Dec. 3 alleges that an officer “was unprofessional by the way he directed his remarks to the complainant in denying that he had never seen the complainant’s car insurance papers.”
A third complaint filed Dec. 10 alleges that officers did nothing while a violation was occurring.
The next Police Commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 25 at the Mo‘ikeha Building in Meeting Room 2A/2B.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
