Hawai‘i Police Department
Office of the Chief
Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz
Phone: (808) 961-2244
Media Release
Two Hawai‘i Police Department (HPD) sworn personnel and a clerical staff member were recognized for their outstanding service during the County of Hawai‘i’s annual Employee Recognition ceremony on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Hilo.
Manager of the Year Nominee: Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins
Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins, commander of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division (CID), was one of seven county employees nominated for Manager of the Year. Amon-Wilkins oversees 36 employees within the Area I Juvenile Aid, Vice, and Criminal Investigation Sections, as well as the Crime Lab. This Division is charged with investigating the most heinous of crimes, ranging from child abuse to sexual assault and murder.
A 24-year-veteran of the department, Captain Amon-Wilkins is known for fostering a high-level of cooperation between HPD and other agencies, as well as between CID and patrol personnel. Respected for his hard work ethic, Captain Amon-Wilkins provides a positive learning environment for officers. When there are questions about the way a specific investigation was handled, he has no problem sharing the positives and pitfalls of the investigation, teaching officers how to improve on their craft. In November 2022, Captain Amon-Wilkins also received the County Council Haweo Award for Outstanding Leadership.
Supervisor of the Year Nominee: Todd Pataray
Lieutenant Todd Pataray, a 22-year veteran of the department, is assigned to HPD’s Area I Operations Bureau, Hilo District. He has worked in several capacities within the department during his tenure, including Hāmākua and Hilo patrol, Community Policing and the Criminal Investigation Section.
In addition to supervising two sergeants, Lieutenant Pataray handles a wide range of administrative responsibilities, such as handling the district’s disaster planning efforts, inventory management, and tracking of accreditation progress.
Earlier this year, Lieutenant Pataray helped coordinate the addition of fallen Captain Simeona to HPD’s Memorial Wall. Captain Simeona was killed during a shootout in North Kohala in 1890. The unveiling of Simeona’s name on the wall during the 2023 Police Week ceremony ensures that the sacrifice of our fallen law enforcement officers continues to be honored.
Employee of the Year Nominee: Karen Hamada
Police Investigative Operations Clerk Karen Hamada was among the 15 nominees for County of Hawai‘i Employee of the Year. Hamada is the bedrock of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, and with 44 years of service, she is the longest-tenured employee in the entire police department.
Providing administrative and clerical support to 36 personnel, Hamada is known for her positive attitude, work ethic, and integrity. A model employee always willing to help others, Hamada is an asset to the commanders in the Area I Operations Bureau.
Pictured left to right: Acting Major Scott Amaral, Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins, Karen Hamada, Lieutenant Todd Pataray, and Captain Sandor Finkey.
