LIHUE — Kauai Police Department officer Bobby Thompson won’t have to worry about what to do during the summer.
Thompson, a school resource officer stationed at Waimea High School, was on hand to welcome five new officers into the KPD family following the 89th Police Recruit Class graduation at the Kauai Veterans Center on Thursday.
“I always liked working with the recruits,” Thompson said. “Waimea High School ends next week, and now I can spend time with the new recruit class that starts as early as next week.”
Sambi Makepa-Gillis, the only female in the class of five and the recipient of the Outstanding Recruit honor, is joined by Patrick Hutton, Nicholas Kam, Royce Ka‘auwai Jr. and Steven Carvalho as the newest KPD officers.
“These five people came together as virtual strangers Nov. 16,” said KPD Acting Chief Mark Ozaki. “They hardly knew each other. Over the 28 weeks, they grew to become family and, eventually, brothers and sister. Starting Thursday night, they are each assigned to an officer and will go out as a final step in their training.”
Several hundred people, including the recruits’ families, relatives and friends, gathered at Kauai Veterans Center to watch the five new officers graduate, entering in a processional to a special tribute number by members of Taiko Kauai, their drumming reverberating through the halls
Sergeant Lenn Nitta presented the fitness award to Kam, the designated student speaker, and the outstanding marksman honor went to Hutton.
“You are entering the best profession, which is to serve and protect,” said County Council Chair Mel Rapozo.
Mary Kay Hertog, vice chair of the Kauai Police Commission, praised the officers.
“When you take the oath — not too many jobs are out there where you take an oath, you are the job,” she said. “There are not too many things they can teach you. You are special because you see people in their worst — no one calls the police when they’re happy.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
