LIHUE — Kauai Police Chief Darryl D. Perry and the Kauai Police Commission recently presented Employee of the Month recognitions to a KPD dispatcher and to the team in charge of KPD’s accreditation. Dispatcher Christina Chong Tim was honored for
LIHUE — Kauai Police Chief Darryl D. Perry and the Kauai Police Commission recently presented Employee of the Month recognitions to a KPD dispatcher and to the team in charge of KPD’s accreditation.
Dispatcher Christina Chong Tim was honored for assisting a woman through a successful home birth. In October of last year, a female called 911 when her 31-year-old sister began giving birth while in her Kekaha home.
There was not enough time to transport the woman to the hospital, so Chong Tim talked the pregnant woman’s sister through the delivery process while they waited for help to arrive.
Over the course of the six-minute call, Chong Tim remained calm and professional as she coached the caller through each step of the delivery. The cry of a healthy newborn could be heard in the background just as medics and firefighters arrived to assist.
Both mother and sister attended Chong Tim’s award ceremony with the newborn baby boy.
“Dispatcher Chong Tim did an exceptional job in reacting quickly and compassionately in this family’s time of need,” said Assistant Chief Roy Asher. “A call of this nature is rare and our dispatchers have to be prepared to respond to all types of incidents at any given moment. The happy ending to this story is a testament to Christina’s dedication to her profession and the people of Kauai.”
The department also recognized members of KPD’s accreditation team, made up of Lt. Jon Takamura, Sgt. Jason Matsuoka, Lt. James Miller, Officer Troy Sakaguchi, Secretary Johnette Chun and contract-hire Laura Saunders.
In November, the department received national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Becoming an accredited law enforcement agency was a high priority for Chief Perry since 2007.
“These were the key individuals who were instrumental in achieving this longstanding goal of the department,” said Michael Contrades, deputy chief. “Only 5 percent of all law enforcement agencies across the United States are accredited, and it is through this group’s efforts that KPD is among them.”
