LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck acknowledged and apologized for instances in which he made disparaging comments, violating county discrimination policies.
“In hindsight, I recognize regardless of my intent, my words have caused people pain,” Raybuck said in a video statement released on social media. “I look forward to the opportunity to apologize directly to those who have been hurt by my words and I hope that we may repair our relationships moving forward.”
Last week, a Police Commission-led investigation sustained an internal complaint that Raybuck had made disparaging comments of Japanese culture and mocked Asian stereotypes through squinting, bowing and speaking in an accent, violating county bias and discrimination policies.
“I recognize now and accept that my comments were insensitive and improper as the chief of police,” Raybuck said.
Raybuck said he respects the findings of the Police Commission investigation and will accept any disciplinary action.
“I understand that some of you are disappointed in hearing about the findings of the investigation. I’m disappointed, too,” Raybuck said. “I’m disappointed that my actions brought undeserved scrutiny on my police department. I’m disappointed that as a county leader I’ve not been the best example for my employees to follow, and I am disappointed that my family has had to witness and endure the fallout of my mistakes.”
Raybuck, hired in 2019, states that he has sought guidance and professional assistance in the last few months “to respond better to difficult situations, and I’m committed the work that I’ve begun to improve myself and my relationships with others.”
“I’ve made my mistakes, but I’ve always looked to learn from them and done my best to get better and not repeat them,” Raybuck said.
After media reports, Mayor Derek Kawakami issued a statement encouraging the community “to not let this be the focus of our police department.”
“These allegations do not reflect the Chief Raybuck that I know and work closely with,” Kawakami said. “If found to be true, I feel a deep obligation to forgive, and this will not impact my ability to work together with him moving forward to serve the people of Kaua‘i.”
The State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers, on the other hand, called for Raybuck’s resignation.
“These charges and findings involving blatant racism is appalling and will not be tolerated by SHOPO and our rank-and-file officers,” the SHOPO statement reads. “Assuming the reported findings are true and accurate, we find it shocking that a top law-enforcement leader would bring such racist sentiments into our community.”
Raybuck hopes this situation will “allow me to become a better person, a better father, and a better leader.”
“I know that I have a hard road ahead of me to earn back the trust and faith people placed in me,” Raybuck said. “I have so much love for this island and all of its people. I believe in the hardworking men and women in this police department and the bright days that lay ahead. I will work hard to rebuild damaged relationships and restore the community’s trust in me.”
A great, genuine act of humility and a sincere apology. Praying for you daily Chief.
Hey Chief, no need apologize it is a breath of fresh air that the Kauai Chief of Police has a sense of humor.
The whiners who are attacking you are the same people who laugh at Hawaii,’s super comedian, Frank Delima who has brought us hilarious entertainment over the last few generations who spared no culture in Hawaii from his disparaging ethnic comedy.
All we can ask of you is to double down on the drug dealers and their suppliers damaging our youth and crippling the long term addicts.
No even look back on this trifle blown too far out of proportion.
You are an honorable man for apologizing, too honorable, because every local person who live here longtime makes same laugh joke remarks about every body culture including their own.
We respect you as a Constable of Police, it ain’t easy being a COP !
Just hunt down the drug dealers and put em away or on the plane.
Mahalo for what you do !
I don’t know if the people understand the attacks from within the department are the most dangerous.
KPD has a long history of pettiness towards each other for the color of their skin and racial and ethnic backgrounds.
One bad joke by a white guy does not constitute and justify calling him a racist.
I will guarantee that each and everyone on island has made a racial insensitive comment or joke at least once in their lifetime.
I was born and raised on Kauai and know how racist jokes are the norm. Frank Delima was/is a racist comedian who is not really that funny.
Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) is filled with racist individuals and will sabotage your justified claim.
The Chief is being attacked like another white top ranking KPD officer that was attacked and retaliated against by the powers from within that is connected to a dark and evil multinational criminal organization.
SHOPO is the representation of a union ran by men who believe absolute power is justified by absolute control and manipulation.
Racist jokes are never the norm and should never be tolerated. That is the definition of racism and when society tolerates it, it eventually becomes accepted behavior by some and people get hurt. Look at all the Asians getting attacked (and killed) because of the Kung flu lies and ignorance.
Never apologize, now you’re really screwed.
Okay, so TR apologized. Just maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt and just maybe he will listen to those of us that have made contact with him since he moved here to share with him that what he THINKS is conspiracy is actually Truth with high levels of integrity. Otherwise chief, “I told you so”, is what my mom would tell me, when i dismissed her and her, OR my dad’s USAF Intelligence Officers’ career status and on-hand documents bequeathed to me in 2011, from our Hickham AFB experiences in 1959!
Hawaii recording law stipulates that it is a one-party consent state. In Hawaii, it is a criminal offense to use any device to record or disclose communications, whether they are wire, oral or electronic, without the consent of at least one person taking part in the communication. This means that in Hawaii, you are legally allowed to record a conversation if you are a contributor, or with prior consent from one of the involved parties. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 803-42.
Last time kpd fired a snitch was when another officer provided the Kauai police commission evidence that lead to the commission findings and sustaining a complaint of excessive force, assault, misconduct against an officer that Judge Valenciano and Dena Renti Cruz refused to provide evidence in a jury trial violating constitutional rights. Dan Hempey sabotaged a complaint and did not list violations of civil rights in an appeal and he also did not list prosecutorial misconduct when a prosecutor lied to the jury by making false statements.
This is the kind of public corruption that the powers cover up.
They are targeting Raybuck like they did Begley.
Ah, yes, the predictable, kowtowing mea culpa…for harmless words. Harmless, except for the thin-skinned, weak whiners.
RG DeSoto
To late the damage is already done. Just do the right thing and resign and go back “home” . The reason you said and did those things is because you’re really that way. So you felt that it was ok to do. Well it wasn’t. I can only imagine the awkwardness and animosity that persists at KPD HQ.
And there it is at it’s core. Go home haole. I’m sure no one in the police department mocked him behind his back for being haole. I’m sure this complaint has nothing to do with that.
What ever happened to Mr. San Cho Lee.
Anytime we bring in someone from the mainland who makes obvious improvements, the subordinates go nuts trying to remove them. This has happened multiple times at KPD. A single mistake isn’t justification for removing him.
1st, don’t try to speak hawaiian, you dont know the meaning. 2nd, to late, the damage is already done, no sense saying sorry when you already got caught. 3rd, do Kauai and Hawaii a favor, go back to Vegas!
This is a smear attempt.
KPD public corruption does not stay on Kauai.
When I visited Oahu, KPD sent their goons to collect their bounty on me. Them goons was later identified as HPD dirty cops that I will guarantee lead to the Kealoha’s arrest. KPD police Chief at that time was a Formwr HPD major. They tried to use a stripper named Bonita to set up and try and throw me off of the Pali Look out.
The bounty also followed me to when I lived in WA state. They had goons stalk me in the neighborhood (how you gonna have cars who do live in the hood park in front of the house and also drive around the house 7-10 times when they don’t live in the hood) and also places where their dummies didn’t know they were on cctv. All the Feds have/had to do is connect the dots.
The retaliation is real and when you have a law enforcement department paying bounties on people to attack and retaliate for exposing public corruption, you have a serious problem.
Raybuck is definitely a target by the multinational criminal organization deeply rooted in the state of Hawaii and county departments.
Raybuck’s apology is an admission of his racism or stupidity. Either way he has clearly demonstrated that he is unfit to serve as a police chief. He has violated the trust of the people he swore to lead and protect. Guess every time another cop violates policy, everyone can just expect an apology like their chief with no consequences. I have lost respect for Kauai PD.
Be careful, pointing a finger has 3 pointing back at you. If no other problems are brought to light now then I see no reason to fire or punish this Chief. Who hasn’t done something like this allegation, especially new folks to the island. Just keep on getting the bad guys and make sure cops can respond in a timely fashion and I’m good.
So, “what the Police Officer going bee millionaire?”
Chief, “you da man!” It takes a lot of courage to admit and apologize.
Take that racist crap and stuff it, such bigotry is vile and disgusting. #racistjerk
In general, the “locals” at KPD and around the island’s first responder circle hate white people. No matter how nice you or qualified you are, you catch nothing but racist cracks. How many haoles do you see in public service? No surprise the inner multinational crime circle is doing all they can to get rid of TR. Can you say ARTHUR BRUN much!! Keep up the fight Chief. Hopefully the early retirements will continue to flow!
All you racist locals that are hiding acting all offended at this guys actions while probably calling someone a “f*** haole” in the past 24 hours. JUST WAIT… plenty haoles are moving into your neighborhoods if not already and they are coming from all over. You go ahead and keep teasing them effing haoles, and keep teaching your kids to tease them and before you know it, you or your kid is going to get retaliation “mainland style” and then we see who is laughing. All talk and puffed chests don’t match what is coming.
Don’t like it here, go back where you come from, Haole. We locals don’t want y’all Haole terrorists ruining our land. Fora Haole!
So a song(Mr. Sun Cho Lee) by Keola & Kapono Beamer and stand up comedy shows by various local comedians. Make it ok for a Police Chief to be racist. That makes absolutely no sense what so ever. And your an idiot if you think it does. Completely different setting. One chooses to attend said comedy show. If the content doesn’t offend him/her… Once again POLICE CHIEF not comedian… Have some sense of decorum and ethical professionalism my goodness…I think we’ve all heard of the saying “there’s a time & place for everything. KPD HQ isn’t it… #resigngohome
Kaaona and others: The point is that local born residents constantly tease each other about ethnic differences. This is not racism. It is recognition of our diversity while appreciating that we are individuals…
the point is open your eyes. compare da apples and da oranges…..2 wrongs don’t make it right.