The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii recognized two officers for “Officer of the Month” in a luncheon ceremony Thursday (December 27). Hilo Patrol Officer Mark Arnold was named “Officer of the Month” for November and Puna Patrol Officer Brian Souki earned that distinction for December.

Arnold was recognized for his work during a routine traffic stop on October 14 that led to the arrest of a convicted felon for drug and weapons offenses. When the officer stopped the motorist at 1 a.m. for driving with an expired safety sticker and expired weight tax, he spotted a small cellophane packet on the floor of the vehicle. Vice officers with a search warrant recovered packaged methamphetamine, dried marijuana, live ammunition and a miniature Maglite flashlight that had been converted to a functioning .22 caliber firearm. The suspect was charged with traffic, drug and firearms offenses and his bail was set at $75,000. Arnold’s supervisor, Acting Lieutenant Richard Miyamoto, said the recovery of the Maglite firearm may have saved someone from injury or death.

Souki was honored for conducting an advanced narcotics investigation that led to the arrest of three adults and the recovery of hundreds of marijuana plants from a commercial growing operation. He observed numerous marijuana plants growing near an Orchidland Estates house at which he was attempting to locate a woman with an outstanding bench warrant. He documented his observations and obtained a search warrant. On October 11, Souki and other Puna patrol officers served the warrant and recovered 511 marijuana plants, 435 grams of dried marijuana and drug paraphernalia. They arrested two women and a man for commercial promotion of marijuana, promotion of a detrimental drug and felony drug paraphernalia. “Officer Souki is starting his third year of service and is conducting proactive police work at a level well beyond his years of experience,” said Sergeant Juergen Canda. “This accomplishment by Officer Souki is a task usually conducted by the specialized vice section and is an achievement that distinguishes him and reflects credit upon himself and the Hawaii Police Department.”

As “Officer of the Month,” both Arnold and Souki are eligible for “Officer of the Year.”