Police Commission wants 'sensitive incidents' reported promptly

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

While noting that Chief Lee Donohue and his top administrators "acted properly" in starting an investigation into illegal purchase of food items by central receiving block supervisors, the Honolulu Police Commission yesterday gave police a guideline to follow.

The guideline calls for the chief to promptly report "incidents" to the commission.

"Future sensitive and high profile incidents will be reported to the commission by the chief as soon as possible or within 48 hours and the assignment of the investigation will be made within the same time frame unless extenuating circumstances delay it for a reasonable period," the commission said in a written statement.

The action stems from a request by Gordon Young, a retired police major whose complaint last year triggered the probe leading to the recent O'ahu grand jury indictments against Assistant Chief Rafael Fajardo Jr. and Maj. Jeffrey Owens on charges of felony theft.

Young asked commissioners last month to check into why it took administrators two weeks to act on his complaint filed last Oct. 30 with two of Donohue's deputy chiefs. Young had also requested that then-Capt. Daniel Hanagami be assigned to lead the investigation.

"I'm satisfied the commission looked into the matter and that they've implemented additional guidelines to ensure investigations will occur in a timely matter," Young said.

In its findings, the commission reported that Donohue and his top assistants "acted properly in their initiation of the internal investigation and the assignment of the criminal investigation into the allegations of illegal food purchases."

Chairman Leonard K.P. Leong yesterday said the issue was resolved during an executive session a week ago. Hanagami was assigned the case on Nov. 14 and the delay was due in part to Donohue and Hanagami being out of town at separate times during the two-week period. Hanagami reported back to work on Nov. 7 but had to attend a training conference, Leong said.

Setting a time frame for investigations is just a guideline, Leong noted.

"We want to make sure the public has a clear understanding," he said.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com