I. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

Members are permitted to:

A. Vote as they choose.

B. Express their opinions on all political subjects and candidates.

C. Be a member of any political party, organization or club.

D. Make voluntary contributions to a political organization or party.

II. PROHIBITIONS

Members are prohibited from:

A. Using their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting the result thereof.

B. Directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, or advise a person to pay, lend or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes.

IV. SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE

Members of the department who perform duties in connection or is directly involved with an activity financed in whole or in part by a Federal loan or grant may not be a candidate for an elective political (partisan) office.

A. Members are prohibited from being a candidate for any Hawaii County office, to include the Mayor, County Council, and Prosecuting Attorney offices.

1. Members may run for other offices, however, an may apply for a leave of absence without pay unti the outcome of the election.

2. If elected, leaves of absence cannot be continued pursuant to rule 10A.3c of the County of Hawaii, Personnel Rules and Regulations. At that time the member must choose to resign his/her position or return to the Hawaii County Police Department.

B. The purpose of this policy is to prevent members from running for such positions as might give them power over their supervisors.

IV. MEMBERSHIP IN POLITICAL PARTIES

A. Members of the department have the right to belong to any political party, organization or club, and such right has been constructed to include the privilege to serve as a delegate or officer or committee member of any such party, organization or club, and the right to participate in the activities of such party, organization or club.

1. The nature of police employment requires proper neutrality in political affairs to prevent adverse criticism against the department for any alleged exercise of official authority or influence in interfering with or coercing the results of an election or the action of any person or party.

2. For this reason, members are cautioned regarding acceptance of appointments to serve as an officer or delegate of a precinct club, or as a member of any county, state, central or executive committee of any party, or as a delegate to a party convention.

B. It is not the intent of the administration, however, to limit or infringe upon the right of any member to exercise his full rights and privileges in connection with membership in any party, organization or club.

JAMES S. CORREA
POLICE CHIEF

(Revised: 02-27-2001)