Question: Auwe to a Honolulu policeman who failed to yield to me while I was crossing a crosswalk May 16 on Arizona Road by the Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library. Yes, it was early in the morning (5:30 a.m.), and I had a flashlight. I couldn’t get his license plate information as he sped away. His rooftop blue lights were not flashing so I’m not sure it was a true emergency. To whom can I report this?
Answer: “The Honolulu Police Department encourages residents to report all forms of police misconduct as part of the department’s effort to address public concerns, correct inappropriate behavior and maintain public trust,” said Michelle Yu, HPD spokeswoman. “Citizens may contact the Professional Standards Office at 723-3775 or download a complaint form at 808ne.ws/hpdcom. Residents who have a license plate number or description of the police vehicle may also call 911 to ask to meet with a supervisor.”
On the form, you’d provide information about yourself; list the date, time, location and details of the incident; identify or describe the officer (if you can); and list any witnesses.
Complaints against police officers are investigated by HPD’s Professional Standards Office, its Human Resources Division or the Honolulu Police Commission, depending on the circumstances of an incident and when it occurred. In your case, because the incident occurred less than 60 days ago and involved on-the-job conduct, it would be investigated by the police commission.
But Yu’s general advice to contact PSO stands, because that office can route your complaint accordingly and has staff available to answer any questions you have about filling out the form and making a statement, which must be notarized, as required by the police union’s collective bargaining agreement.
You can mail the notarized statement to the address below, or you can appear in person and a detective will take your statement and have it notarized. Be sure to bring proper ID for the notarization, wherever it occurs.
Honolulu Police Department
Attention: Professional Standards Office
801 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
You can find more information on the website Yu mentioned.
In answer to another reader, yes, it is possible to submit a complaint without identifying yourself, but that would be handled differently. “If you wish to remain anonymous, your complaint will be reviewed and/or investigated in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and departmental policy,” according to the HPD website. That generally means the complaint would be reviewed internally, Yu said.
Q: Are electrician and electrical contractor the same thing?
A: No. Electrical contractors employ electricians, the people with the training and experience to do the actual work. “So, you may hire a licensed electrical contractor to rewire your house, but you should see licensed electricians doing the work. The same goes for plumbing contractors and plumbers,” according to the Regulated Industries Complaint Office, the enforcement arm for various professions and vocations licensed in Hawaii.
Electrical contractors are licensed by the Contractors License Board. Electricians are licensed by the Board of Electricians and Plumbers. Only licensed people or companies can apply for an electrical permit. You can verify the license of an electrical contractor or electrician by calling 587-4272 or doing a “licensee name search” at businesscheck.hawaii.gov.
Mahalo
Many thanks to Connor, Jaime and Linda for rescuing my sister at Foodland Beretania on Mother’s Day. You saw she needed help and stepped up to the plate.
— Forever grateful, Susan
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
