Hawaii Police Department
Office of the Chief
Lawrence K. Mahuna
Phone: 961-2244
September 13, 2007

Officer Mekia Rose
…Kona Officer of the Year

A police officer who was named “Officer of the Month” twice within four months has earned the distinction of “Officer of the Year” for Fiscal Year 2006-2007.

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee selected Officer Mekia Rose for the honor at a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Rose, a Kona patrol officer, was singled out for his actions on March 26, 2006, and on June 23, 2006. In the first instance, Sergeant Linda Tester nominated Rose for his “keen observation and quick thinking” in arresting two juvenile runaways who were responsible for five felonies. In the second, Rose located three suspects responsible for robbing a man at the Kailua Pier. All three suspects were arrested and charged with the crime, and the stolen items were returned to the owner.

Rose was named “Officer of the Month” in October 2006 and again in February 2007.

Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna said Rose exemplifies the Police Department’s core values of integrity, professionalism, compassion, teamwork and community satisfaction.