Aloha Everyone,

I hope you have all enjoyed the summer and are ready for the fall season which has just begun…The fall also brings us a new round of budget cuts due to declining economic conditions.  At HPD, some Divisions are initiating economic cuts ahead of Departmental cuts so they can shine at upcoming Honstat reviews and work their way up the promotional ladder.  In CID we’ve gone beyond cutting “fat” and are now cutting bone and muscle.  Polygraph has been inexplicably reduced to one and one half Detectives (from three fulltime Detectives).  Standby pay for essential units is on the chopping block again. BRILLIANT Creative book keeping now keeps everyone walking on eggs and Detectives are told to follow written policy not the practice, except we’re told to follow some policies’s and disregard others, and the “updated” policy’s have been in a state of limbo for about a year. Confusing? Just another day in the life. BRILLIANT  If we really want to make these budget cuts effective we need to have our media liaisons meet with the crack heads, rapists, shoplifters, forgers, car thieves, perverts, gang bangers, drug dealers and our other nefarious clientele and get them to agree to cut back 20% on their criminal behavior, otherwise we’re just throwing the baby out with the bathwater….Recently an officer came to work disheveled and complained that he had suffered severe back and abdominal pain early in the morning and was unable to get out of bed for almost an hour due to the severe pain. After being able to get up and around he went to see his doctor who advised him to simply loose weight.  When you carry 30 to 50 extra pounds around your middle, the body tends to react negatively due to the stress and strain.  Regardless of your age, the stress on the body can be severe.  This is not meant to be anything personal or highlight anyone as I’m one of those that constantly battle the bulge, but if you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor take your health to heart.  See your doctor, get regular exercise eat healthy and enjoy life….  Last week the HPD announced a “test” program for six new Toyota Camry hybrid vehicles for patrol.  Unfortunately the vehicles don’t have room for a prisoner so the officer will have to call for a transport vehicle which will not only burn extra fuel, but take an extra officer off the road. Several police departments across the mainland are already using hybrid vehicles, but instead of using a compact Toyota Camry, the departments are using SUV’s (Toyota Highlander and Ford Escort) that allow not only for prisoner transport, but at least one department also uses their hybrid for their K-9 unit.  Seems a much more efficient use of funds, even if it’s only “federal money”. BRILLIANT… Some of us are planning a “Holiday Package” for HPD officers deployed to war zones and we need to update the mailing list.  The package will include some local treats, rice, coffee, Spam, HPD logo items, DVD’s and magazines, newspapers, etc.  We’re hoping to send the “Holiday Packages” to our colleagues for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  If you can provide the name of your beat partner who’s deployed please send it as soon as possible (alexhpdcf@gmail.com) …If you’d like to pick up some HPD logo items for yourself or gifts, the HPRA store on Young Street will be open on Saturdays from 0900 to 1300 hours for the month of October and possibly into December…A notice from the IRS has been circulating around the department by e-mail regarding a proposed rule change that will penalize early retirements that could have an adverse affect on officers planning retirements in the next few years.  There was a recent hearing in Washington D.C. and I was informed by NAPO Executive Director Bill Johnson and other key participants that the proposal may go through but should not affect current employees.  The details are still being worked out and the IRS appears to feel they can make the decision independent of Congress, but the results remain to be seen.  NAPO has been monitoring this for some time and is proposing legislation to exempt police officers from this or future consideration.  Those of us in the system should not be affected, but new employees may have some concerns.  NAPO is on top of it and I’ll keep you posted…Although there is a concern about the stability of some financial institutions, local economic and mortgage experts feel this could be a good opportunity to purchase property or refinance your mortgage as the mortgage rates fall.  If you need more information, contact Christine Asing (much better half of Detective John Asing) at Island Financial Services (330-3000) for updated information…Although I’m not recommending a change in venue, the Lynwood Police Department in Washington State is anticipating hiring a number of new officers and accepts laterals.  They just received a 3 year 14.5% pay increase which brings their top step for a PO to $87,000.00 plus a number of pay incentives. If you want more information you can contact former HPD officer Kawika Davis at (425-314-1282)…. And in closing, although projections on the economy are dire, this is not the first time Honolulu has faced adversity.  For law enforcement, this is the time for officers to be even more vigilant and professional. A time for officers to maintain public confidence and show the community and the world that Honolulu remains a safe environment for residents and visitors.  Take care, be safe and God Bless.