Ethics panel reviews HPD tour complaint
The city Ethics Commission is investigating a complaint that officers were brought in, some on overtime, to conduct a tour of the Honolulu police academy for a Cub Scout pack on Sunday.
According to a KITV report, the son of an HPD deputy chief is a member of the Scout pack that got the tour. The academy is usually closed on Sundays.
The deputy chief declined to comment on the tour, a police spokeswoman said.
Police Chief Louis Kealoha, in a written statement to the Star-Advertiser, said, "Sunday’s event was for a Cub Scout pack and held at the training academy."
"The campus was opened for the event, and approximately 20 officers assisted, including members of the Specialized Services Division, Bicycle Detail and Community Policing. Some of the officers were paid overtime, and others adjusted their schedules to be available on Sunday," the statement said.
According to the television report, HPD had originally turned down the request for the Sunday tour, but the deputy chief whose son belongs to the Scout pack overrode the decision.
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"The department conducts dozens of ‘Say Hi’ events for school-age children each year," Kealoha said in his statement. "The purpose of a ‘Say Hi’ is to introduce youths to police work and promote positive interaction between officers and children. The events typically consist of police demonstrations and equipment displays. While most events are during normal school or work hours, they can also be held at other times."