Two Hawaii Police Department officers and a clerical staff member were recognized for their outstanding service during the county’s annual employee recognition ceremony Monday.
Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins, commander of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Division, was one of seven county employees nominated for Manager of the Year.
Amon-Wilkins oversees 36 employees within the Juvenile Aid, Vice and Criminal Investigation sections, as well as the crime lab.
The Criminal Investigation Division is charged with investigating the most heinous of crimes, ranging from child abuse to sexual assault and murder.
According to a press release, Amon-Wilkins, a 24-year-veteran of the department, is known for fostering a high-level of cooperation between HPD and other agencies, as well as between the CID and patrol personnel.
Respected for his work ethic, Amon-Wilkins provides a positive learning environment for officers.
When there are questions about the way a specific investigation was handled, he share the positives and pitfalls of the investigation, teaching officers how to improve on their craft.
In Nov. 2022, Amon-Wilkins also received the County Council Haweo Award for Outstanding Leadership.
Lt. Todd Pataray was nominated for Supervisor of the Year. Pataray, a 22-year veteran, is assigned to HPD’s East Hawaii Operations Bureau, Hilo District.
He has worked in several capacities within the department during his tenure, including Hamakua and Hilo patrol, Community Policing and the Criminal Investigation Section.
Pataray handles a wide range of administrative responsibilities, such as handling the district’s disaster planning efforts, inventory management and tracking of accreditation progress.
Earlier this year, Pataray helped coordinate the addition of fallen Capt. T. Simeona to HPD’s Memorial Wall. Simeona was killed during a shootout in North Kohala in 1890.
And police investigative operations clerk Karen Hamada was among the 15 nominees for the county’s Employee of the Year.
With 44 years of service, she is the longest-tenured employee in the police department.
Providing administrative and clerical support to 36 personnel, Hamada is known for her positive attitude, work ethic and integrity.
