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With the growing controversy surrounding the Honolulu Police Department, I am concerned whether their actions are damaging our society.
It’s unfortunate to see the problems surrounding ex-Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine, and officers being accused of terroristic threatening and forcing a homeless person to lick a urinal. Because of these events, I have grown skeptical in the decisions our police officers make.
Hawaii is supposedly one of the safest places to live, but I’m not convinced. As University of Hawaii-Manoa professor David Johnson pointed out, “The Hawaii rate of police killing is very high indeed.” Just last year alone, six people were killed by the Honolulu Police Department. In 2013 to 2017, there were just seven people killed by HPD.
There needs to be solutions within our police department. How can many residents feel safe and secure when we question HPD’s mission statement, “Serving and protecting with aloha”?
Jarrod Caluya
University
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