HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2244
FEBRUARY 22, 2006
Joseph Gutierrez, right, president of the Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo,
presents an “Officer of the Month” award to Royce Serrao on Thursday.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo recognized South Hilo Patrol Officer Royce Serrao Thursday (February 22) as Officer of the Month for January for what his supervisor described as “exceptional observations” in an auto break-in case.
The 9-year veteran officer was recognized for his actions after observing a man exiting a car that was parked in a parking lot at the Hilo police station. Serrao recognized the white Toyota sedan as a car that had been parked there for about two months and noticed that the man was carrying items out of it. Police detectives had previously recovered the Toyota and taken inventory of its contents.
When Serrao reached the Toyota, the man had returned to his own car and some of the items that had been in the Toyota were now visible on the floor of his Honda. Serrao arrested him and questioned him. Detectives later charged him with unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.
In nominating Serrao for the award, Lieutenant Andrew Burian called him an “outstanding investigator” and commended him for writing detailed reports that are “of the highest caliber.”
As East Hawaii Officer of the Month, Serrao is now eligible for Officer of the Year.
The East Hawaii Officer of the Month award is a project of the Aloha Exchange Club of Hilo.
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