The ongoing crisis at the Kaua‘i Police Department meant there wasn’t a report from the police chief at the monthly Kaua‘i County Police Commission meeting last Friday. This informative report traditionally goes over the statistics on arrests, major projects, training
The ongoing crisis at the Kaua‘i Police Department meant there wasn’t a report from the police chief at the monthly Kaua‘i County Police Commission meeting last Friday.
This informative report traditionally goes over the statistics on arrests, major projects, training and other items of interest to the police commission and the public. The report was deferred until the March 23 meeting to avoid the controversy centered on Kaua‘i’s police chief.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., on his authority, still considers Police Chief Darryl Perry to be on leave. The police commission, on the other hand, says it has that authority and ordered Perry back to work on Feb. 20.
The potential was for a situation where Perry would be present to give the report, along with the mayor’s choice of acting chief. The commission deferred the report to hopefully resolve the police chief issue this month and return to business as usual.
But the agenda for the meeting is posted on the police commission website and likely contains much of the information that would have been delivered in the chief’s report.
The police department reported 165 arrests on bench warrants for January. There are 531 active warrants outstanding for 91 felony and 440 misdemeanor offenses.
The detectives report, not including cases already noted in The Garden Island, highlighted two sexual assault cases.
In one, an adult male was arrested for an alleged sexual assault of a minor female victim. In another, an adult male was arrested and released on bail for sexual assault involving a female co-worker.
A minor male was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the report. The youth was at a local hospital but later died.
The department conducted alcohol compliance checks with local businesses in cooperation with the county Liquor Department. In 21 checks, six citations were issued for violations.
The department, in cooperation with the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Research Center, conducted 37 tobacco checks to ensure that no sales are being made to minors. Of 37 checks with local establishments, four citations were issued.
School relations officers delivered 56 drug prevention presentations at Kaua‘i schools.
The vice and narcotics section reported six major drug busts and 47 other arrests in January, including a first-degree methamphetamine trafficking case. There are currently 487 active cases, with 113 marked as “special focus” cases.
There were 67 domestic violence-related cases last month. Forty-six of them were related to reports of family abuse. Another 18 violations involved protective or restraining orders, and three involved domestic issues.
Recruiting continues to be a priority issue with the police department. In past months, Chief Perry explained the difficulty with finding qualified candidates through a lengthy process before they accept other positions on the Mainland.
There are currently 24 uniformed officer vacancies in the department. This includes one captain’s position, five lieutenants, three detectives, six sergeants and nine officers.
As of Jan. 31, the recruiting report notes that 57 background investigations on officer referrals were in progress. One applicant had completed all requirements and was approved to proceed. Another four were given conditional jobs, since they are likely to be approved.
With 19 resulting in no response or interest, another 25 applicants withdrew and 13 remain involved in the recruiting process.
They must complete a psychological examination and physical fitness test before qualifying for the academy.
There are also 12 civilian positions open. They include a records supervisor and several clerk, dispatch and crossing guard jobs.
Sgt. Paul Applegate was recognized with a commendation for his presentation on workplace violence to Hawai‘i State Public Library System branch managers on Jan. 25.
In the area of training, the report noted that 105 police department personnel completed 2,046 hours in 14 instruction areas during the month of January.
Capt. Sherwin Perez, Lt. Richard Rosa and Sgt. Kenneth Carvalho participated in the FBI-LEOKA (Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted) safety and survival program on Kona. Perez also attended “Working Together to Assist Child Victims of Sex Trafficking” training in Honolulu.
Detectives Bernard Purisima and Brandy Ledesma attended the San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. Detectives Karen Kapua and Vicki Fonoimoana participated in “Effective Response to Alleged Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Adults” training in Honolulu.
Detective James Miller received training on “Investigative Interviews in Child Sexual Abuse” in Honolulu. Officer Arnold Cayabyab attended the annual K-9 training conference in Burbank, Calif.
Officer Scott Yamaguchi received training at the Live Scan Users Group Conference at the Honolulu International Airport.
Thirty officers attended a “Practical Homicide Investigation” training session on Kaua‘i.
Ten officers received training with the Hawai‘i Fugitive Task Force, while 28 officers attended the “Reid Technique of Interrogation and Interview” training session at the Kaua‘i Civil Defense Center. Another 22 officers had “Special Services and Crisis Negotiation Team” training using a cruise ship scenario at Nawiliwili harbor.
Officers Chad Cataluna and Bruce Nance received Segway training in how to use the two-wheeled transportation device on the job.
Detectives James Rodriguez and Shane Sokei attended the Law Enforcement Training Symposium on Maui. Lt. Dan Miyamoto and Det. Randolph Chong Tim participated in a crime scene photography course in Honolulu.
