62nd Police Recruit Class graduates 07-15-03

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE POLICE CHIEF
PHONE: 961-2244
JULY 15, 2003

Police Graduates
GRADUATION CLASS–Members of the 62nd Police Recruit Class graduated Tuesday during ceremonies at Nani Mau Gardens Restaurant in Hilo. Members of the class are, front kneeling, Edwin Shishido of the Department of Land and Natural Resources who went through police training; second row, Ivan D. Tamura, Ronald A. Paro, Destiny M. Hoopii, Ryan K.S. Domingo and Richard H. Speaker II; third row, Frank J. Mohica, Alton L. Penrose Sr., Andres M. Fojas, Tuckloy D. Aurello and Severo I. Ines; back row, Kuilee S. Dela Cruz, Kenneth L. Walker; Darrell A. Clinton and Dane M. Shibuya Sr.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii County Police Department has 14 new officers, members of the 62nd Police Recruit Class.

The 14, plus an employee of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, graduated Tuesday (July 15, 2003) during ceremonies held at Hilo’s Nani Mau Restaurant.

The police graduates, who underwent intensive training that began in January, will undergo nine more weeks of on-the-job field training after being assigned to veteran police officers.

During the luncheon ceremonies, the graduates were repeatedly urged to conduct themselves with humility and compassion during their careers as police officers.

William “Billy” Kenoi, executive assistant to the mayor and the keynote speaker, noted that the graduates already have the “life experience to know full well the commitment you are making.”

He urged them to carry out that commitment with compassion, which he equated with the aloha spirit, saying “a little restraint, a little compassion, a little aloha go a long way” in police work.

Police Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna urged the graduates to “conduct yourselves with humility and compassion” when dealing with the public

“You will find that acting with humility and compassion can frequently defuse a potentially violent situation.”

Mahuna said the police officer’s job has been described as “hours and hours of routine punctuated by moments of sheer terror.”

Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida noted that society has given police officers tremendous powers, powers “to arrest, to detain to search people’s homes.”

But with that power also goes the duty to use it responsibly for the benefit of the community.

He urged the graduates to treat members of the public with respect and humility.

Dwight Manago, vice chairman of the Hawaii County Police Commission, also urged the graduates to treat members of the public with respect.

Many of the complaints the commission receives could be avoided, he said, if the police officer simply took the time to explain to a citizen what the police can and cannot do.”

“The respect you show to individuals while you are on duty goes a long way toward winning the respect of the community,” he said.

Dixie Kaetsu, the county’s managing director, also congratulated the recruits on their graduation.

Honored during the ceremonies were recruits Ryan K.S. Domingo, who won the class academic award with a score of 96.86 percent, and Richard H. Speaker III, class present, who won the firearms award.

At the end of the ceremonies, Chief Mahuna swore the 14 graduates into office.

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