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HPD releases new video of sergeant in abuse probe

City council member

The Honolulu Police Department on Friday released a longer-length surveillance video of the violent incident involving an HPD sergeant and his girlfriend at a Waipahu restaurant last month.

The video shows the woman and off-duty Sgt. Darren Cachola both allegedly throwing punches, and what appears to be a heated verbal exchange between Cachola and the Restaurant Kuni manager who called police. The initial snippet that media received from outside sources showed only Cachola allegedly throwing punches at the woman, even after she ended up on the floor, until the manager arrived.

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Police Chief Louis Kealoha said the fuller video doesn’t excuse what Sgt. Cachola did, but provided context to police, prosecutors and a Grand Jury in determining how to handle the case.

An Oahu Grand Jury last week declined to bring charges against Cachola.

HPD’s Professional Standards Office, however, is still investigating the matter, including the response actions of the dispatcher who took the initial call and the patrol sergeant who went to the scene. Kealoha said he expects the investigation to take some time.

Also released was a recording of the initial 911 call that the restaurant manager made to HPD dispatch.

Deputy Chief Dave Kajihiro, who oversees the Professional Standards Office, said much of the focus of that investigation is now centered on the response of HPD personnel rather than the actions of Cachola himself.

Cachola’s police powers have been removed and he has been assigned to desk duty. The responding patrol sergeant is also been placed on desk duty but he retains his police powers, police said.

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