Police chief lashes out at critics in domestic abuse case

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kea­loha on Thursday defended his handling of a high-profile domestic abuse case involving an officer while a group of female lawmakers condemned his department for what they described as a pattern of botching such cases.

The dueling news conferences were held in lieu of a face-to-face meeting originally scheduled for Thursday between the police chief and the Hawaii Women’s State Legislative Caucus.

Kealoha, speaking at police headquarters, said he called off the powwow after learning more people were attending than could fit in his office. He said he also decided the department needed more time to gather information and to "speak with one voice." The decision was made to push back the meeting to Sept. 30 when an informal hearing on domestic violence will be held at the state Capitol.

While Kealoha spent most of Thursday afternoon’s news conference describing the department’s domestic violence policies, he did take the opportunity to defend his handling of the investigation into the police officer who was allegedly caught on video brutally beating his girlfriend at a Wai­pahu restaurant.

He lashed out at those who are calling for the department to make an arrest based on the video.

"If you want me to crumble under public and political pressure, if you want me to move away and compromise the integrity of the department and deviate from our policies, then I am not your chief," the chief declared.

The department launched an investigation into the alleged assault after receiving a video Sept. 9 that showed an off-duty officer repeatedly punching a woman Sept. 8 at Restaurant Kuni and Lounge.

Police are also investigating Pearl City officers who responded to the incident but failed to file a report.

On Thursday, Kea­loha said he and his department are responsible for protecting the rights of the accusers as well as the accused.

"Because anybody — even the politicians who are speaking up against the Police Department — I’m protecting their rights. I’m protecting your rights," he said.

"We talk about all these attorneys who are watching these videos and saying, ‘Hey, that’s enough to arrest,’ well, let me tell you this: These are the same people who would not hesitate to turn around the next day and sue us for arresting someone for not having enough evidence.

"That’s why I want a complete investigation. This is what this is all about. Someone has to stand up. Even the politicians who are jumping on the pile and criticizing HPD, I’m protecting your rights. That’s what I’m doing."

Later Thursday afternoon the Hawaii Women’s State Legislative Caucus and the three female members of the Hono­lulu City Council joined together at a state Capitol news conference to urge reform in the Police Department.

State Senate President Donna Mercado Kim explained that the group is concerned not only about the recent video incident, but a growing number of complaints about the department’s handling of domestic violence incidents. She and others called for more scrutiny of the department, a re-examination of police policies and procedures, and more training for officers.

"We just want the law followed," Kim (D, Kalihi Valley-Moana­lua-Halawa) said.

The lawmakers also expressed disappointment they couldn’t get a meeting with the police chief.

"This is not about political pressure," Kim said. "This is about talking to your fathers, your sons, your husbands, your brothers and sisters and how we are going to solve the problem today. We want to restore trust, but it’s not going to happen if we’re on either side of the table or we’re not talking to one another."

State Sen. Laura Thielen (D, Hawaii Kai-Wai­ma­nalo-Kai­lua) also urged a restoration of trust, "not just for the public, but for the many, many good officers and civilians who work in the Police Department and whose image has been impugned," she said.

Catherine Betts, executive director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, told reporters the Police Department has established a pattern of mishandling domestic violence cases. She said her office has recorded 30 such cases over the past year and a half.

Cheryl Yamaki, an attorney who specializes in domestic abuse cases, said she has witnessed scores of poorly handled incidents over 16 years, especially when the perpetrator is a friend, family member or fellow officer.

While there are plenty of good police officers, she said, far too often there are officers who do not respond to domestic violence situations appropriately.

Earlier, Kealoha said the department’s domestic violence policies — both when dealing with the public and with employees — are constantly updated and comparable to any major metropolitan police force in the country.

As for the video investigation, Kea­loha said public pressure prompted him to expedite the case, and detectives are now working on it 24 hours a day, seeking witnesses and gathering more evidence.

At the same time, he said, he doesn’t want to set up the expectation that anyone can send an edited copy of a video "and expect us to go arrest people. That’s unacceptable, because that can be any one of you.

"If people want me to cave in and compromise the integrity of the department, I’m not going to do that. What we’re speaking about today is a small portion of our officers who get into trouble. It does not reflect the other 2,000 officers who are out there on the road. It doesn’t reflect the good work that over 500 civilians do every day. That’s who I am representing."

Kealoha said that whether detectives gather enough evidence to pursue the case criminally, the department can still address the incident administratively.

When it comes to upholding the law, his officers are held to a higher standard than the average citizen, he said. Administrative penalties range from a written reprimand to suspension or even termination, he said.

"This will not go away until complete criminal and administrative investigation is complete," the chief said.

Kealoha said that during his regular public speaking engagements, he talks about courage, values, morals and character.

"If nobody recognizes the opportunity when to use it, this is it. I’m walking the talk," he said. "Who wants to live in a city or in a society where you can be threatened with arrest and charged for an offense where there is only a sliver of evidence and we haven’t completed the full investigation? If you are expecting a police department and a police chief to do that, that is a crime. You can expect no less from me as your chief."