Public input sought for HPD reaccreditation

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DENNIS ODA / 2017

HPD Chief Susan Ballard is encouraging the public to weigh in on the department’s ability to meet national standards.

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Public comment on the Honolulu Police Department is being sought Tuesday as part of an on-site reaccreditation assessment being conducted by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.

To be accredited, the international CALEA program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.

HPD Chief Susan Ballard is encouraging the public to weigh in on the department’s ability to meet national standards. “It’s important to get the community’s feedback because this is their police department,” Ballard said in a statement.

CALEA accreditation runs for three years, and Honolulu Police Commission Chairwoman Loretta Sheehan said the last time was in 2015.

“This is an opportunity for the public to come forward and testify as to its experiences with the Honolulu Police Department,” Sheehan said.

The department has been rocked in recent years by a series of scandals and officer conduct issues that have tarnished HPD’s reputation, highlighted by the federal indictment of former Chief Louis Kealoha on public corruption charges in October.

Kealoha retired in March 2017 amid the turmoil surrounding him and his wife, Katherine Kealoha, who was also later indicted.

The public may offer comments by phone at 723-3454 from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The public may also attend a public comment session that begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mission Memorial Building Hearings Room, 550 S. King St., next to Honolulu Hale. Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. at the city parking garage; the entrance is on South Beretania Street just past Alapai Street.

Telephone and in-person comments will be limited to 10 minutes.

Written comment can also be submitted to CALEA at 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 21055; or at the commission website at calea.org.

All comments must address HPD’s ability to comply with CALEA’s accreditation standards. A copy of the standards is available for public review at HPD’s Professional Standards Office at HPD headquarters, 801 S. Beretania St., during business hours.

Call the Professional Standards Office at 723-3775 for more information.