The basic role and duties of the Hawaii Police Department are three-fold:

• The reduction and clearance of crimes committed.
• Inhibiting the growth of drugs on our island.
• Reducing traffic fatalities.

The Hawaii Police Department, as of June 30, 2002, had 542 full–time positions with 400 sworn personnel and 142 civilian personnel positions. There were 42 part-time school crossing guards and 23 Police Officer I unfunded temporary positions.

The Hawaii Police Department made progress on three major improvement projects during the fiscal year. They are the construction of cellblocks to house pre-arraignment detainees, the upgrading and relocation of the department's microwave radio system and the implementation of a new computerized Records Management System.

Construction continued on a new Hilo detention center next to the Public Safety Building. Estimates are that the 10,000-square-foot detention facility with 18 cells and holding areas will be completed on schedule in early December 2000. The new facility, to cost approximately $4 million, was mandated by the 1995 State Legislature, which transferred responsibility for holding pre-arraignment detainees from state community correctional facilities to the counties.

The department has selected a vendor to design and construct an upgraded microwave radio communication system at a total cost of about $10 million. The microwave radio system is used not only for emergencies by the department, but by other county, state and federal government agencies as well. Construction on the system, to be upgraded from 2 to 6 gigahertz, is expected to begin in October.

The department has also begun implementation of its computerized Records Management System (RMS). The modern integrated system manages, tracks, copies and routes police reports. The new records system saves time and work by eliminating the current process, which requires double data entry, manually making copies and routing reports to officers and the prosecutor's office. The RMS also interfaces with the recently installed computer aided dispatch (CAD) system to allow more versatility to take advantage of mobile data computers in the next technology improvement project phase.

The Administrative Bureau is divided into three divisions -- Administrative Services, Technical Services and Fiscal Services.

The Administrative Services Division oversees training, research and development, the word processing center, police chaplains, Community Relations/Crime Prevention and the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.

The Technical Services Division is in charge of the Communications Maintenance Section, Communications Dispatch Section, Records and Identification Section and Traffic Services Section. The Traffic Services Section oversees the Driver Licensing Section.

The Fiscal Services Division is responsible for budgeting and Department finances.

The Criminal Investigation, Juvenile Aid and Vice Sections fall under the auspices of the Investigative Operations Bureau. The Bureau is split between two regions, designated Areas I and II.

Area I encompasses the districts of North and South Hilo, Hamakua and Puna.

Area II covers the districts of North and South Kohala, and North and South Kona, and Ka'u.

The Criminal Investigation Sections collectively have 16 Detective Sergeant positions and several support personnel assigned to Areas I and II.

The Vice Sections are centrally located within the districts of South Hilo and Kona and service Areas I and II respectively. Six Detective Sergeant and 10 PO-III positions are assigned to these sections.

The Juvenile Aid Sections in Areas I and II have a complement of 11 Detective Sergeant and four PO-III positions.

In addition, Area I and Area II each has one Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner coordinator.

The Field Operations Bureau is also divided into the two regions, designated as Area I and II.

Field Operations is comprised of patrol officers and field supervisors, including those assigned to the Community-Oriented Policing program and the Traffic Enforcement Unit. Seven captains are assigned to command the eight districts of Area I and II along with support staff personnel.

The Hawaii Police Department continued its commitment to ridding our communities of illicit narcotics and drugs and to address other vice activities such as gambling and morals offenses. Through its enforcement efforts, substantial seizures and arrests were made during FY 2001-2002.

In 2001, police eradicated 80,474 marijuana plants and seized 39 pounds of dried, processed marijuana, which resulted in 554 arrests on the Big Island.

Cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and heroin continue to be a problem. In 2001, 6.96 pounds of heroin, 1.48 pounds of cocaine and 13.73 pounds of crystal methamphetamine were recovered, resulting in 348 arrests.

The Traffic Enforcement Unit is comprised of a supervising sergeant and three patrol officers in East Hawaii and four patrol officers in West Hawaii. It is charged with enforcing traffic laws around the island and with investigating traffic deaths.

There were 31 traffic fatalities on the Big Island in 2001. Of these, 15 of the traffic deaths (48%) were related to alcohol, and three (6%) were drug-related.

DUI enforcement efforts netted 835 drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This represented a 23% decrease from the 1,081 drivers arrested for DUI offenses in 2001.

A breakdown of DUI arrests in 2001, by police district, shows that Kona had 342 DUI arrests; South Hilo, 203; Puna, 118; South Kohala, 77; Ka’u, 36; Hamakua, 29; North Kohala, 19; and North Hilo, 11.

Two recruit classes graduated during the 2001-2002 fiscal year, adding 23 new officers to the ranks.

Twelve members of the 59th Police Recruit Class graduated on June 29, 2001, and 11 members of the 60th Police Recruit Class graduated on January 9, 2002. In addition, 11 members of the 61st Police Recruit Class began training in May 2002.

For more than two decades, the Hawaii Isle Police Activities League has provided island youngsters from 5 to 18 years old with social and athletic activities. From its humble beginnings as a one-man unit operating primarily in Hilo to its expansion to provide islandwide activities, the HI-PAL program has come a long way.

The HI-PAL staff includes two police officers assigned to West Hawaii and a sergeant and a civilian recreational director in East Hawaii. Some of HI-PAL's sponsored activities are so large, however, that manpower from both sides of the island is needed.

One such event is HI-PAL's Winter Basketball Classic. The tournament includes five different age groups competing at five different gyms in Hilo. With the help of the Community Policing Unit, the tournament provides youngsters from around the state with high-quality competition. Teams from California have also participated in several tournaments. The Winter Basketball Classic is the largest age group tournament in Hawaii.

HI-PAL reciprocates the assistance rendered by the Community Policing Unit by providing help in organizing events in various community housing projects around the island.

More than 6,000 youngsters participate on an annual basis. Currently, HI-PAL sponsors softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball and bowling. In the past, tennis and boxing were also organized.

Another aspect of the HI-PAL program is the development of coaches and officials through sponsored clinics and workshops. Classes are held annually, and graduates hone their officiating skills by working various leagues and tournaments sponsored by HI-PAL. Many HI-PAL graduates work Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) high school games.

HI-PAL coordinates its activities by utilizing County Parks and Recreation facilities. This cooperative effort maximizes the opportunities for youngsters to participate and build character and self-confidence.

Many of HI-PAL's participants are considered "at risk" because of socio-economic or geographic factors. By creating activities for them to interact and participate with non-at risk youngsters, they are able to develop a sense of equality in opportunities.

"There are no strangers in HI-PAL, just friends who have not yet met" is HI-PAL's motto. HI-PAL provides positive opportunities for youngsters to be introduced to new experiences and acquaintances.

The Hawaii County Police Department is committed to ridding our community of gang involvement and related gang violence. Last year, 1,629 seventh grade students participated in the P.A.G.E. program offered by the department's Juvenile Aid Section officers. The primary focus is to encourage positive alternative behavior for youths at risk and divert them from the dangers associated with gangs.

P.A.G.E., through its classroom curriculum, draws attention to and broadens awareness of how gang involvement destroys lives. In the classroom, P.A.G.E. offers positive alternatives and encourages the youth of our community to make the right choices and through community service projects instill community pride.

During Fiscal Year 2001-2002, community policing had a total of 30 officer positions, including two supervising sergeants.

Along with two supervising sergeants, one in Hilo and the other in Kailua-Kona, there are nine officer positions assigned to South Hilo, seven to Kona, four to Puna, three to South Kohala, two to Ka'u and one each to North Hilo, Hamakua and North Kohala.

Community Policing Officers operate out of six mini-stations. The mini-stations are located at the Mooheau Bus Station, Clem Akina Park and Richardson Beach Park in South Hilo; at the Waikoloa Golf Course in South Kohala; and at the ABC Store in Kailua-Kona; and in Honokaa in Hamakua.

The Hawaii County Police Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance, in partnership with the State of Hawaii Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) Program has offered D.A.R.E. statewide since 1985.

Now taught in school districts in all 50 states and 52 separate nations, D.A.R.E. is still the most widely used drug abuse and violence prevention education program. On the Big Island, more than 4,200 elementary and middle school students were exposed to classroom presentations during the 2001-2002 school year.

The Big Island has the only existing D.A.R.E. + P.L.U.S. (Play and Learn Under Supervision) program in the state, offering enrichment opportunities for you islandwide. Choices include cheerleading, leadership institutes, anti-bullying seminars, basketball, go-kart racing, football and archery.

Regional D.A.R.E. Days XXXI and XXXII were held in Hilo and Kona respectively. In light of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the traditional celebration recognizing young people for their achievements also offered an opportunity to recognize the victims and responders to the attack with "A Tribute to America's Heroes."

The Honomu Sports complex was again the host site for the D.A.R.E. Institute for Future Leaders. Forth-eight youngsters took part in the three-day camp, which featured workshops on leadership skills, conflict resolution, anger management, reducing violence, broadening awareness to the destruction caused by drug abuse, identifying negative media influences and dealing with bullies and troublemakers.

The institute is offered without cost to students. Educators and parent volunteers assist D.A.R.E. officers with chaperon responsibilities. Funding is provided via the Department of Education's SDFSC Grant.

D.A.R.E. also anticipates making changes. As early as the 2003-2004 school year, the primary focus will be on middle school. Elementary schools will maintain a constant vigilance, but through a shortened D.A.R.E. curriculum — 10 weeks vs. the current 17-week program. This strategy should clear instruction time to devote more attention to junior high students, who face many transitional challenges at this time in their lives.

The Community Relations/Crime Prevention Section hosted more than 1,250 pre-school, elementary, intermediate, high school and college students during the 2001-2002 school year on guided tours of the Public Safety Complex in Hilo and district police stations islandwide.

More than 150 public speaking requests were answered, reaching more than 5,000 persons. These requests involved demonstrations and lectures on a multitude of topics ranging from McGruff, the Crime Dog; Kid Care I.D.; Stranger Danger; Drug and Gang Awareness; Home Security; Personal Safety and Laws; Arrest Procedures; Halloween Safety; Robbery Readiness; Theft Prevention; and Neighborhood and Business Watches.

Crime Stoppers entered its 21st year. Since its inception in May 1981, Crime Stoppers Hilo and West Hawaii Crime Stoppers received 4,165 calls with information, cleared 1,512 cases and paid $73,225 in rewards. More than $13.2 million worth of narcotics and more than $1.2 million in stolen property were recovered with information from tipsters.

The Police Commission consists of nine members. One member is appointed from each of the nine county districts. The members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council.

The Police Commission adopts rules it may consider necessary for the conduct of its business and regulation of the matters committed to its charge. It may review the rules and regulations of the department; review the department's annual budget prepared by the Police Chief and may make recommendations thereon to the Mayor.

The Commission submits an annual report to the Mayor and the County Council; receives, considers and investigates charges brought by the public against the conduct of the department or any of its members and submits a written report of its findings to the Police Chief. It also advises the Police Chief on police-community relations and hires personnel necessary to carry out its functions.

Police Commission members are: