- Hawaii Police Department - https://www.hawaiipolice.com -

70th Recruit Class 05-16-07

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
LAWRENCE K. MAHUNA
PHONE: 961-2244
MAY 16, 2007

Recruits

Members of the Hawaii Police Department’s 70th Recruit Class (left to right):
Nicole Leyson, Joshua Flores, Reuben Pukahi III, Charles Schmitt,
Christopher Allison, Zenas Pacheco, and Cala Arnold
.

MEDIA RELEASE

Seven members of the Hawaii Police Department’s 70th Recruit Class were recognized Tuesday (May 15) during ceremonies held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The police recruits, who underwent five-and-a-half months of intensive training, will now undergo three-and-a-half more months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.

During Tuesday’s luncheon ceremony, Managing Director Dixie Kaetsu asked the recruits for courage and service before self.

Police Commissioner Anita Politano-Steckel referred to the six men and one woman as “seven knights in shining armor.”

Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna thanked the recruits for joining the Police Department and asked their friends and relatives to help them as they become working police officers. “These people have gone through a lot and they will go through a lot in their career,” he said. “May you love and support and sustain them.”

Recruit class Vice President Charles A. Schmitt talked about some of the difficulties he and his fellow recruits encountered in their training. “It wasn’t always pretty but it was always pretty interesting,” he said.

The keynote speaker, Deputy Corporation Counsel Harry Freitas, told the recruits to be fair and honest, follow the law, treat others with respect, do what they’re trained to do, and show love and respect to their loved ones. “If you follow all of that,” he said, “I know that you will make our county a safer and a better place to live.”

Schmitt was singled out for three awards for his excellence in academic, firearms and physical fitness training.

The other recruits recognized were Christopher R. Allison, Cala V. Arnold, Joshua J. Flores, Nicole K. Leyson, Zenas Paul A. Pacheco and Reuben M. Pukahi III.

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