Officer of year helped HPD go high-tech
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
During his 32-year career, Robert "Bobby" Imoto has been at the forefront of the Honolulu Police Department's self-defense training, video production and community policing programs.
Robert "Bobby" Imoto was honored as HPD's 2004 Police Officer of the Year.
The 52-year-old lieutenant, assigned to the Training Division, is also credited with securing two federal grants.
One grant, for $448,285, was used to purchase 135 laptop computers and set up a wireless network that enables recruits to send reports to instructors, download training videos and receive mail. HPD used a second grant, for $68,070, to purchase nonlethal Taser electric-shock guns for a pilot project that begins this month.
The department yesterday honored Imoto as its 2004 Police Officer of the Year at The Club 200 awards breakfast at Waialae Country Club.
Photos by Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
"He's been involved in implementing a lot of this department's philosophy changes and is deserving of this award," Chief Lee Donohue said.
Detective Baron Lee and his wife, Leila, at the 200 Club awards ceremony. Lee, a father of five and an active volunteer in community activities, soccer, kung fu and church, was recognized as Honolulu Police Department parent of the year.
Imoto has devoted nearly half his police career to training officers. Starting with the 94th recruit class in 1986, Imoto supervised the training of seven recruit classes (more than 300 total officers), an HPD record.
"Like any teacher or coach, the reward for a drill sergeant was seeing civilians slowly evolve into officers in 6 1/2 months," Imoto said.
Imoto credits his wife, Christine, with giving him the encouragement to do his job.
"My wife once wrote (in a recruit newsletter) that to be a good cop you have to be single because of the demands of the job, but to be a great cop you have to be a family man to be sympathetic to the public," Imoto said. "My family has had to give up a lot for me."
Other award winners yesterday were:
• Joseph Becera, reserve officer of the year. In 2003, Becera volunteered to work 696 hours, averaging 58 hours a month. He took part in all 17 warrant searches involving the Kalihi District Crime Reduction Unit.
Joseph Becera
• Baron Lee, parent of the year. Lee is a detective assigned to the Human Resources Division. He and his wife, Leila, have five children. Lee is an active volunteer in community activities that include soccer, kung fu and church.
• Deborah Kamanao, civilian employee of the year. Kamanao, a secretary for the Support Services Bureau, has worked at HPD since 1987. She won the same award in 1992. Kamanao was recognized for taking on extra duties to help the department with its national accreditation effort.
Deborah Kamanao
Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.
