Hawai’i Police Department
Office of the Chief
Harry S. Kubojiri
Phone: 961-2244
April 30, 2009
(Back Row): Gregory Horton, Coley Rowe, Kelvin Andrade, Joseph Thorpe, William Marciniak, Derek Foster
(Front Row): Jared Cabatu, Stephen Kishimoto, John Balberde, Terence Ignacio, Jonathon Reece, Jami Harper
Media Release
The 12 members of the Hawai’i Police Department’s 76th Recruit Class were recognized Wednesday (April 29) during ceremonies held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.
The police recruits, who just completed six months of intensive training, will now undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.
During Wednesday’s luncheon ceremony, Chief Harry S. Kubojiri read the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and issued the reaffirmation oath to the recruits. As part of the ceremony, someone special to each recruit pinned on that officer’s badge.
County Managing Director William Takaba told the recruits there is no more worthwhile or honorable pursuit than the one they have chosen. “Wear your badge and your uniform proudly and always know that the citizens and the government of Hawai’i County stand behind you and are forever grateful for the sacrifices you make to protect their life and property,” he said.
Police Commissioner Anita Politano Steckel told the new officers to be polite when dealing with the public. “Staying cool, courteous and unflappable in a tense situation can make a great deal of difference in the outcome,” she said.
Hawai’i County Council Chair J Yoshimoto said police officers are similar to elected officials because both help people with complaints. “The difference is, we can vote for your salary increases,” he said.
Class President John Balberde said the recruits started their training as individual members of the public but are now part of the same team. “Remember this day,” he said. “You worked hard for it.”
The keynote speaker, Deputy Prosecutor Ricky Roy Damerville, spoke about the importance of duty, honor and country. He said police have the second best job on the island and he has the best. “You do all the heavy lifting,” he said. “I stand up in court and say, ‘Try to beat me,’ and the newspapers quote me and not you.”
Three of the recruits received special recognition for their excellence in training. They were Jonathon C. Reece, who excelled in academic training, Joseph D. Thorpe, who excelled in firearms training, and Terence S. Ignacio, who excelled in physical fitness training.
The other recruits recognized were Vice President Jared S. Cabatu, Secretary-Treasurer Stephen J. Kishimoto Jr., Kelvin L. Andrade, Derek J. P. Foster, Jami L. Harper, Gregory S. Horton, William K. Marciniak and Coley K. Rowe.
