HPD discipline
almost doubled

A total of 112 disciplinary cases
were handled in 1997, compared
with 64 the previous year

Jaymes Song
Star-Bulletin

The number of disciplined police officer cases on Oahu almost doubled in 1997 compared with 1996.

According to a report submitted by the Honolulu Police Department to the state Legislature, there were a total of 112 disciplinary cases in 1997 involving four officers who were fired and 85 who were suspended.

In 1996 there were 64 cases involving 54 officers, five of whom were terminated.

In 1995 there were 75 cases involving 67 officers, two of whom were dismissed.

Police officials said they don't know why the numbers have jumped.

"Our goal, ideally, is that we would like to have none," said Deputy Chief William Clark.

Clark said the department will continue to evaluate each case and try to improve the conduct of officers who violate the department's codes. "We take the cases when they come up and deal with them as quickly as we can," Clark said.

Police Commissioner Ronald Taketa said although he doesn't know why disciplinary actions are rising, people shouldn't be alarmed by the numbers.

Taketa believes the rising numbers could be credited to possible increased enforcement within the department, which he said makes for a "healthier" department and benefits the community in the long run.

"We prefer to have the behavior corrected rather than not addressed at all," he said.

State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers President Bennie Atkinson said the number of complaints the department fields should also be taken into account.

HPD responds to more than 700,000 cases per year, not including cases involving the Criminal Investigation Division and the motorcycle detail.

The department consistently has fielded a very high noncomplaint rate over the past few years, Clark said.

The noncomplaint rate was 99.4 percent in 1995 and 99.9 percent in 1996. The 1997 statistics were not available yet.

"We make mistakes, and we have to pay the consequences," Atkinson said.

"If you want perfect police officers, don't hire humans."

The majority of 1997 cases were five-day suspensions or less, ranging from failure to appear in court with appropriate attire to using unnecessary force.

Of the 112 total cases, 26 involved special-duty violations.

In 1996 there were three special-duty violations, and 17 in 1995.

The most serious disciplinary actions included a dismissal for falsely submitting overtime cards and signatures to a 20-day suspension for being absent without leave.

Of the seven most severe suspensions, four involved mishandling of suspects.

1997 Honolulu Police Department disciplinary cases

Four police officers were fired and 85 were suspended from the force during 1997, according to an annual report submitted to the Legislature by former Police Chief Michael Nakamura. Here's a breakdown on the offenses that resulted in the firings and suspensions. Note that some officers were suspended more than once. The numbers within the parentheses following some of the offenses denote the number of times the offense was committed.

OFFICERSDISMISSED

1. Falsely submitted overtime cards and signatures.

2. Committed theft and forgery and failed to respond to questions in a timely manner.

3. Failed to take action regarding a person with a potential bomb.

4. Failed to submit evidence properly and was untruthful regarding the disposition of the evidence.

5. Failed to dispatch an officer to a call for assistance, failed to log the call, failed to submit a report documenting the incident and was untruthful during the investigation.

45-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Was absent without leave and failed to respond to an arrest scene where officers were involved.

30-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Mistreated a prisoner.Was untruthful and falsified statements and reports pertaining to the incident.

2. Assaulted a handcuffed prisoner, made untruthful statements and false reports during ensuing investigation.

3. While acting watch commander, the officer failed to ensure the safety of two prisoners that were in custody.

20-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Mistreated a prisoner. Was untruthful and falsified statements and reports pertaining to the incident.

2. Was absent without leave.

3. Failed to follow pursuit directives and submit proper reports.

15-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Refused to participate in mandatory drug test.

2. Failed to answer repeated radio calls and respond to a scene.

10-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Made verbal threats to another officer.

2. Physically and verbally abused a prisoner.

3. Accepted payment for volunteer special duty and falsified a volunteer special duty request.

4. Sexually assaulted a female.

5. Failed to implement proper crime scene procedures by releasing a suspect prior to investigation.

6. Falsified reports.

7. Failed to report involvement in a motor vehicle pursuit and the motor vehicle collision that resulted from the pursuit.

8. Failed to conduct a complete and proper investigation and failed to submit evidence.

9. Mishandled an assault and domestic abuse case and failed to submit reports in a timely manner

10. Left the scene of a motor vehicle collision without providing proper identification and rendering aid.

11. Was disrespectful and insubordinate toward a supervisor and failed to follow orders.

12. Behaved unprofessionally during a traffic stop.(2)

13. Behaved unprofessionally during an off-duty traffic stop which resulted in confidential police information being disseminated to the motorist. Falsified auto records.

14. Failed to submit a request for outside employment prior to working. Falsified information on a request to work outside employment.

15. Failed to submit an outside employment request.

16. Pleaded guilty to a criminal violation.

17. Was unprofessional and behaved inappropriately toward a subordinate.

18. Failed to carry out duties and responsibilities while transferring bail monies and accompanying paperwork.

19. Failed to follow proper arrest and bail procedures and falsified the arrest report.

5-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Abused a prisoner.

2. Performed unauthorized special duty.

3. Performed unauthorized special duty and involved other officers in the same conduct.

4. Failed to check a home to serve a temporary restraining order when the respondent was home.

5. Failed to take proper action, file reports and secure evidence. (2)

6. Had verbal confrontation with another officer.

7. Damaged property while off-duty.

8. Used force unnecessarily.

9. Was unprofessional in conduct to the public.

10. Was absent without leave.

11. Sexual harassment.

4-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Falsified daily auto record.

2. Performed unauthorized special duty. Was untruthful during the investigation. (4)

3. Performed unauthorized special duty.(2)

3-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Falsified daily auto record.

2. Failed to submit a vehicle pursuit report of robbery suspects in a timely manner and was untruthful regarding it.

3. Accepted payment for volunteer special duty.

4. Was overbearing.

5. Accepted payment for volunteer special duty. (4)

6. Performed unauthorized special duty. (11)

7. Abused a household member. (2)

8. Failed to submit a report in a timely manner.

2-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Failed to appear for a subpoenaed court case.

2. Failed to make notification of a criminal proceeding for a theft charge in a timely manner.

3. Was absent without leave and conducted outside employment without authorization.

1-DAY SUSPENSIONS

1. Caused a motor vehicle collision and failed to tell the truth.

2. Missed subpoenaed court appearances on two separate dates.

3. Failed to perform professionally while handling a prisoner.

4. Treated a co-worker with disrespect and was untruthful.

5. Failed to appear for a subpoenaed court case. (2)

6. Parked in an unauthorized area and was untruthful during the investigation.

7. Failed to respond to a departmental investigation in a timely manner.

8. Pled no contest to harassment in court.

9. Failed to submit a report in a timely manner.

10. Failed to provide assistance, was untruthful and falsified reports. (2)

11. Performed unauthorized special duty.

12. Falsified a report regarding injuries to a prisoner who was in custody.

13. Behaved inappropriately toward a subordinate.

14. Physically assaulted a female when off-duty.

15. Pled no contest to third-degree assault in court.

16. Failed to submit promotion applications by the proper date.

17. Was unprofessional and physically assaulted a motorist when involved in an off-duty car accident.

18. Physically assaulted a girlfriend during an argument.

19. Pled no contest to harassment in court and failed to make notification of a criminal proceeding in a timely manner.

20. Failed to properly secure a juvenile prisoner and discarded a police report.

21. Was untruthful and made a false statement.

22. Convicted of criminal property damage in court.

23. Absent without leave.

24. Was unprofessional, which resulted in an injury to an acquaintance.

25. Was unprofessional and overbearing toward a male after a traffic incident.

26. Was unprofessional toward a civilian.

27. Behaved unprofessionally during a traffic stop.

28. Spent extended periods of time at home while on duty.

29. Revealed extended periods of time at home while on duty.

30. Revealed confidential police information, without authorization, to a family member.

31. Failed to appear for court properly attired and on time.