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Honolulu Police Department - Louis M. Kealoha - Chief of Police - December 2014
Generous Donations Will Help Fill Void
The Specialized Services Division (SSD) started the year with heartbreak when two of their
family members passed away. Annie, HPD’s first bloodhound, died in August. "She (had)
blood cancer for years," said SSD Sergeant Gregory Obara. "But it was never a factor in her
death. She was about 14 years old and age just caught up with her. (She also had an) acute
infection in her leg (and) she was not able to recover."
Annie had a great career with the department. She retired in 2012
after serving nearly nine years tracking dozens of missing people.
Bella, HPD’s second bloodhound, came in after Annie’s retirement.
"Bella was still a young, energetic dog that was just coming into her
own," said Sergeant Obara. However, that energetic spirit suddenly
and unexpectedly went downhill. Bella died in April, just months
before Annie, from an infection in her paw. Losing both of them in
the same year was devastating not only for the division but for the
department. "Our only saving grace is Cache, our cadaver and
tracking Belgian Malinois. If not for her, the tracking program
would have come to a screeching halt," Sergeant Obara noted.
Fortunately, two donors stepped
in. Ms. Joyce Jeffers and
Ms. Sharon Takaki made
generous contributions that will
help fill the void.
Ms. Jeffers, whose husband was a former canine handler in
another state, donated nearly $5,000 to the Missing Child
Center of Hawaii. The center will use the money to
purchase a bloodhound for the department. Ms. Takaki is a
former Honolulu police dispatcher. Her $8,755 donation
will be used to purchase another Belgian Malinois. The
SSD’s current Malinois, Arco, will be retiring next year due to health problems. "I am
supremely grateful that there are members of our community who appreciate what these
canines do," Sergeant Obara said. The new canines will be ready to work next year.
(Pictured: Annie, HPD’s first bloodhound; and Ms. Sharon Takaki (left) and Ms. Joyce Jeffers)
The Gift That Keeps Giving
"My doctor called me back into the office and said he needed to infuse me as soon as
possible," Ms. Donie-Lou Nakanelua-Kono recalled the first time she needed a blood
transfusion. It was after a routine physical. "I was always tired," added Ms. Nakanelua-Kono,
a secretary in the Records and Identification Division, "but I thought I was tired because I have
a busy life. I’m a mom of two and I’m always on the go. I didn’t think anything of it." It
turns out that Ms. Nakanelua-Kono was severely anemic and went through six blood transfusions over the course of five years. She says she is better now, but her health would have been
far worse if it were not for donors.
The Blood Bank of Hawaii (BBH) says that someone needs blood every two seconds and
about 200 blood donors are needed every day
to help meet the needs of Hawaii's patients.
The HPD holds blood drives every few
months. Earlier this month, HPD employees
donated 41 pints to the BBH.
Ms. Krystal Siegert, Traffic Division Senior
Clerk Typist, took advantage of the recent
drive. She says, "This is the first time I’m
donating. I didn’t qualify earlier, but now I
do." For Ms. Siegert, donating is personal.
"My cousin needed a blood transfusion,
but besides that, it’s always good to help
(Ms. Krystal Siegert donates blood during drive.)
someone in need. You don’t need money for it, it’s free," she said. Ms. Siegert’s pint will
help save three lives. "I never know if I may need it someday. So I hope someone’s there for
me, like I’m here today," she said. As for Ms. Nakanelua-Kono, the blood drives are gifts that
keep on giving. "I’m extremely grateful to those that selflessly donate," she said. "Thank you
for giving me life."
The HPD’s next blood drive is planned for March 9, 2015. For more information, contact
Officer Yvonne Miyasato at ymiyasato@honolulu.gov.
At the time of donation, blood donors must:
1. Be in good health;
2. Be 18 years of age or older (17-year-olds can donate with a signed BBH parent/
legal guardian consent form);
3. Weigh at least 110 pounds; and
4. Have valid photo identification with birth date.
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Pistol Team Snags National Awards
The Honolulu Police Pistol
Team (HPPT) made its mark at
the National Police Shooting
Championships in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, this year. Two
team members, Sergeant
Clifford Ramson and Detective
Stuart Leong, won first place in (L-R: Officer Jean Paul Shimabukuro, Detective Darren Nihei,
Sergeant Clifford Ramson, Sergeant Bryan Hew, Corporal Derek
two categories. The duo took
the Stock Semiautomatic Pistol Tang, and Detective Stuart Leong)
Two-Officer Team and the Production Semiautomatic Pistol Two-Officer Team awards.
The competition had more than 400 participants from
different countries. Sergeant Ramson describes what the
competitors had to do. "Each match begins with the gun
holstered and the targets out of view. When the buzzer
sounds, targets face forward for a limited amount of time,
(and) competitors draw, take aim, and fire." Competitors
had to shoot their firearm from different standpoints and
positions.
(L: Detective Stuart Leong shooting during competition.)
Four other HPPT members participated in the competition
and won numerous individual awards and prizes. The other team members are Sergeant Bryan
Hew, Detective Darren Nihei, Corporal Derek Tang, and Officer Jean Paul Shimabukuro.
Sworn personnel interested in joining the HPPT to enhance their firearms skills may contact
Sergeant Ramson at cramson@honolulu.gov.
HPD Earns Webber Seavey Award
The International Association of Chiefs of Police forensic video/photograph recovery and
picked the HPD as one of 15 semifinalists for its enhancement.
Webber Seavey Awards.
The honor recognizes the new Crime Analysis
Unit in the Criminal Investigation Division. The
unit was honored for its approach in intelligenceled policing to target property crimes.
Since the unit was created in late 2011, it has
implemented new technologies like the automated
license plate readers, facial recognition, and
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Changes at Ke Kula Makai
It is an exciting time at Ke Kula Makai in Waipahu. Not
only because of the new recruits, but because the grounds
they are training on are being spruced up. The academy
opened in 1988 and
had not undergone
major renovations
until earlier this year.
Two classrooms near
the indoor range have
updated PRISim
shooting simulators.
The training simulator
is video-based and
gives officers real-life
scenarios. The portable "A" classroom also went under
the knife and now has new carpet and a sound system.
The upgrades did not stop there. The weight room has
new floors, new windows, and new equipment like treadmills, an elliptical, a stair climber, and a power rack.
Three lecture rooms have new carpet and dry erase
boards. Carpet will also be installed in the other lecture
room and the Administrative office. "Things are breaking down and wearing out, so now is the time to spruce
things up and make the environment better," said Training Division Major Gordon Shiraishi. Work on the new
gymnasium floor is in progress and should be completed
within six months. (Photos provided by: Training Division)
New BPA Graduates
Congratulations to the recent graduates of the Business Police Academy (BPA)! Twenty-one
private citizens spent nearly 20 hours of classroom time learning how to prevent and reduce
business-related crime. The program covers such topics as identity theft and Internet crimes,
forgery, shoplifting and employee theft, robbery, security, and workplace violence. The BPA
is modeled after the department’s popular Police Academy but with an emphasis on crimes
that affect businesses.
(Pictured: The class
on their graduation
day, October 21. The
class includes citizens
from various industries, such as insurance, health care, and
information
technology. )
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Wall Honors Fallen Officers, Recipients
You may have noticed
work being done as you
passed through the B-1
corridor near the Traffic
Division. It is called the
"Wall of Honor."
The wall will include
pictures and information
on HPD officers who
have been killed while serving in the line of duty. "We owe it to the individuals who were
killed in the line of duty…to foster their memory and never forget what they sacrificed," said
Major Andrew Lum, who along with Major Kurt Kendro, is overseeing the project. The wall
will also include the HPD Hall of Fame and Medal of Valor recipients. The work should be
completed in time for Police Week next year.
In Memoriam
Ret. Corporal Clyde Gouveia
District 4 (Kailua-Kaneohe-Kahuku)
September 4
Ret. Captain Melvin De Costa
Civil Defense (Major Events Division)
October 26
Ret. Assistant Chief Charles Reeves Jr.
November 1
Technical Services Bureau (Support Services Bureau)
Mr. Newton Harbottle
Communications Division
November 2
Pursuing Higher Education
Did you know that the HPD has a Higher Education Reimbursement
Program? The reimbursements are up to $400 per session to cover
tuition and/or books. So far this year, 19 employees have received
reimbursements.
Qualifications:
• Full-time HPD employee
•
Passed the initial probation period
•
Courses need prior approval
•
The courses must be taken at an
accredited college or institution.
Online courses are acceptable.
See HPD Policy 3.10 for additional information.
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Chaplain Vergara Named Head of OFCC
He is one of six commissioned/volunteer chaplains in the department. He is a photographer for the National Geographic, a long
time volunteer for the Aloha Medical Mission, and now Chaplain
Alex Vergara has added something new to his list of achievements.
On October 12, he was named the President of the Oahu Filipino
Community Council (OFCC). Chief Louis Kealoha recently installed 44 of the organization’s directors and officers. The maximum term is two years, "If I (do) not go crazy after the first term, I
will run for reelection," Vergara said. As OFCC president,
Chaplain Vergara will
have a busy schedule
promoting and
perpetuating the Filipino cultural heritage
on Oahu. "This job is
harder than HPD
chaplaincy," he said.
However, he is excited
for the challenge.
Chaplain Vergara has been with the department since 1996 and currently serves District 2
(Wahiawa) and District 8 (Kapolei-Waianae) and the Community Affairs Division, Major
Events Division, Training Division, and the Reserves program. (Top: Chaplain Alex Vergara;
Above: Chief Kealoha swears in the OFCC 2014-2015 Officers, Board of Directors, and Unit Member
Organization Presidents.)
Yosemori and Doronila Named Top Cops
The department’s "Top Cops" have been named and they are
Lieutenant Eric Yosemori and Officer Patricia Doronila.
Lieutenant Yosemori is the department’s 2014 Top Cop and
is also the HPD’s 2014 Detective of the Year. Officer
Doronila was recognized for her work as one of 25 top
federal, state, and city and county law enforcement officials
and security professionals at the 30th Annual Law Enforcement and Awards Banquet. Officer
Doronila is also the HPD’s 2014
Metropolitan Police Officer of the Year.
(Top: Chief Kealoha and Lieutenant Eric Yosemori; Bottom: Hawaii Hotel and Visitor Industry President Jerry Dolak, Captain Jeffrey
Richards, Officer Patricia Doronila, Chief
Kealoha, and American Society of Industrial
Security Hawaii Chapter Chair Jim Frame)
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Mahalo for Your Service
We wish you well in your future endeavors.
Major Thomas Nitta
Officer Joseph Becera
Lieutenant Dean Mukaida
Records and Identification Division
Community Affairs Division
District 6 (Waikiki)
38 Yrs.
37 Yrs.
32 Yrs.
Sergeant Garrett Ikeda
Assistant Chief Susan Dowsett
Assistant Chief Mark Nakagawa
District 4 (Kailua-Kaneohe-Kahuku)
Investigative Bureau
Administrative Bureau
32 Yrs.
31 Yrs.
31 Yrs.
Lieutenant Randall Borges
Sergeant Darryl Castillo
Captain Paul Calvey
District 8 (Kapolei-Waianae)
District 2 (Wahiawa)
Information Technology Division
30 Yrs.
30 Yrs.
28 Yrs.
Sergeant Marie Kanealii-Ortiz
Ms. Ashlyn Choy
Ms. Aileen Shea
District 4 (Kailua-Kaneohe-Kahuku)
Records and Identification Division
Communications Division
27 Yrs.
27 Yrs.
26 Yrs.
Corporal Elario Tehada, Jr.
Corporal Russell Pereira
Mr. Stephen Soares
Mr. Leonard Wong
District 4 (Kailua-Kaneohe-Kahuku)
District 4 (Kailua-Kaneohe-Kahuku)
Traffic Division
Traffic Division
25 Yrs.
17 Yrs.
16 Yrs.
16 Yrs.
The Blue Light
is published by the
Honolulu Police Department
801 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
If you have a story to share, please e-mail
tbell@honolulu.gov or call 808-723-3866.
.
Chief of Police
Louis M. Kealoha
Editor
Teresa Bell
Photographer
Duane Ikeda
Media Liaison
Michelle Yu
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