HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2244
JULY 27, 2006
Joseph Gutierrez, right, president of the Aloha Exchange Club
of Hilo, presents an "Officer of the Month" award
to Hilo Patrol Officer DuWayne K. K. Waipa
MEDIA RELEASE
A Hilo patrol officer was named "Officer of the Month" for May because of efforts that led to Federal charges against two "ice" users and state charges against a third.
Officer DuWayne K. K. Waipa received the honor Thursday (July 27, 2006) during a ceremony at a luncheon meeting of the Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo.
Waipa, 35, was recognized for initiating numerous drug cases stemming from incidents on April 13 and April 15 in Keaukaha.
Waipa’s supervisor, Sergeant Darren Horio, said the officer’s initiative and persistence "demand attention and praise."
During Thursday’s ceremony at Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel, Waipa thanked the Exchange Club for the honor and asked that the public have faith in police officers.
"What I did is just something that a lot of our officers do," he said.
As Officer of the Month for >East Hawaii>, Waipa is now eligible for "East Hawaii Officer of the Year" award.
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