Police seek public input for accreditation

The public is reminded the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies will arrive Monday on Hawaii Island to examine Hawaii Police Department’s policies and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

The purpose is to verify the Hawaii Police Department continues to meet the 400-plus National Standards established for a law enforcement agency required for the department to maintain voluntary accreditation.

Part of this review will include a public comment session at 5 p.m. Tuesday (July 14) at the Hawaii County Council chambers at 25 Aupuni St. in Hilo. The session will be hosted by the visiting assessment team, which is seeking the community’s input as to whether accreditation should be maintained.

HPD Chief Harry S. Kubojiri strongly encourages public comments.

Individuals who cannot attend the public information session are encouraged to call in their comments to 961-2270 from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday.

Written comments can be sent to CALEA, 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 22030-2215 or via the CALEA website at www.calea.org.

The comments are limited to the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards.

A link to the list of the CALEA standards the assessors will review to determine if the department is in compliance is available on the “Accreditation” page of the Hawaii Police Department’s website at www.hawaiipolice.com. A full copy of the standards can be viewed at the main police station at 349 Kapiolani St. in Hilo.

These national standards, as they relate to the practices employed by the Hawaii Police Department, are what the assessors are seeking the public’s input on during public testimony.

Of the roughly 23,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, the Hawaii Police Department is one of only about 1,200 that have been awarded CALEA Accreditation. The department initially was awarded accreditation Nov. 17, 2012.

For more information, call Lt. Kenneth Quiocho at 961-2260.