HPD detective selected as one of nation's 'Top Cops'
Advertiser Staff
A Honolulu Police Department detective has earned national recognition and television exposure for his undercover work that led to dozens of gambling arrests.
Detective Earl Koanui Jr., the department's 2001 Officer of the Year, has been selected as one of the nation's "Top Cops" by the National Association of Police Organizations.
Detective Earl Koanui Jr. will be featured in a Court TV special and an upcoming episode of America's Most Wanted.
Koanui will also be featured in a Court TV special and an upcoming episode of America's Most Wanted. The Court TV special titled, "The System: Badge of Courage," will air Sunday, at 7 p.m. on Oceanic Cable Channel 19 and digital Channel 119.
Koanui will also appear on America's Most Wanted in November, which airs on KHON, as well as in the Oct. 28 issue of Parade magazine.
Koanui infiltrated a large gambling organization by posing as a "dirty cop" for 33 months. He was the lead investigator for Ikapono (meaning "toward righteousness" in Hawaiian), a covert operation that culminated in the simultaneous execution of six search warrants at six separate gambling establishments.
As a result, 32 adults were indicted for gambling and money laundering. About $331,000 was seized and two buildings in Chinatown were subject to forfeiture.
Koanui and other top law enforcement officers will be honored by the National Association of Police Organizations and the International Association of Chiefs of Police in separate ceremonies later this month.
