LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Commission called an emergency meeting Friday to discuss leadership issues at the police department.
Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry was not present at the meeting, and the commission unanimously approved a motion to defer the chief’s monthly administrative report until its March meeting.
Perry was placed on leave by Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. at the same time the police commission ordered him back to work Monday.
Police Commission Chair Ernest Kanekoa Jr. said the conflict is with the mayor’s instruction to have Deputy Chief Mark Begley stand in for Perry at the meetings. He said the delay is meant to have the matter resolved before a report is given.
County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho and First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Delaplane were present for the open portion of the meeting and for the first executive session. When the meeting reconvened, the commission voted unanimously for an emergency meeting and second executive session.
Kanekoa recited state meetings law, noting its purpose was with regard to “imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare of the community.”
Conversely, the mayor maintained this week that the health and welfare of the community is not in jeopardy Irregardless of the baseness of the chief of police.
“There is confusion with the police dispute between the commission and the Kaua‘i Police Department and this has the potential of being disruptive and unsafe to the people of Kaua‘i,” Kanekoa said. “This is something that the commission needs to discuss as soon as possible.”
The commissioners said the meeting was closed to “discuss and deliberate as to the leadership of the Kaua‘i Police Department.” It was also to consult with assigned Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Winn as to the powers, duties, privileges, immunities and liabilities on the agenda item.
One community member, Ken Taylor, addressed the commissioners and encouraged them to address the charter issue before going on to the other issues.
When commissioners emerged nearly two hours later, they said the chairman was working on a statement to be released through the county communications office. At 7:19 p.m., county spokeswoman Mary Daubert issued Kanekoa’s written statement via email.
“An emergency meeting of the Police Commission was held today, immediately following the regularly scheduled Police Commission meeting held in the Mo‘ikeha Building of the Lihu’e Civic Center,” the release states. “The executive session was held to allow the Police Commission the opportunity to discuss and deliberate as to the leadership of the Kaua’i Police Department.
“While details of the discussion held in executive session are closed to the public, it is important that we communicate to the public that the Police Commission will be working closely with Mayor Carvalho to address this issue. We understand that this has been a frustrating time for the public, but we are confident that all parties will come to an amicable agreement in a timely and prudent matter.”
Perry began work Monday but was blocked from signing out his equipment and is not wearing his uniform. According to the mayor, Perry remains on leave and police operations are under Acting Chief Michael Contrades and Acting Deputy Chief Mark Begley.
Perry contends that he was suspended after requesting to be placed on leave after placing assistant police chiefs Roy Asher and Ale Quibilan on leave because of an internal complaint.
In regular business, one of the four complaints reviewed by the commission was sustained in favor of the complainant. It involved a police officer that was accused of falsifying police reports.
The commission said there was sufficient evidence to sustain the complaint and forwarded for further review. All other actions in the open session were postponed for the March meeting.
The next regularly scheduled police commission meeting is March 23 at 9 a.m. in the Mo’ikeha Building Meeting Room A/B in Lihu‘e.
Charter Review Commission
On Monday the Charter Review Commission is scheduled to go into executive session to discuss with the county attorney whether clarification is required to the Kaua‘i County Charter, Article VII, Section 7.05 as it relates to the powers, duties and functions of the Mayor’s Office and Article XI, Section 11.04 as it relates to the chief of police.
Upon returning to open session, the commission is supposed to deliberate and decide on possible amendments to both charter articles reviewed in executive session.
On Wednesday the Kaua‘i County Council will hold an executive with the county attorney on the authority of the mayor and the Police Commission over the chief of police.
∫ Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
