Cop gets community service after pleading no contest in Kaneohe break-in

A 56-year-old police officer will not have to serve any time in jail after he entered no contest pleas to two petty misdemeanor offenses of allegedly breaking into a Kaneohe home in June.

Kaneohe District Court Judge James Ashford Wednesday ordered Richard Staszyn, an eight-year veteran of the police force, to perform community service.

Ashford also granted Staszyn’s request that the offenses would be stricken from his criminal record if he stays free of any other convictions during the next six months.

Staszyn was charged with second-degree criminal trespass and fourth-degree criminal property damage to a window screen. Both charges are the least serious criminal offenses — petty misdemeanors — and carry a maximum jail term of 30 days.

A restitution hearing will be held Dec. 16.

Following his arrest, Staszyn was placed on restricted desk duty. He is assigned to HPD’s records and identification division.

Staszyn’s badge and gun were temporarily removed while police internal affairs investigators also began an administrative probe into the incident. The findings of the administrative hearing have not been released.

Staszyn was caught trying to break into a Kaneohe home at 8:25 p.m. June 15 after a woman called police saying a man was trying to force his way into her house.