Posted on: Saturday, October 9, 2004
36 join Honolulu police ranks
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Patricia Ann Henley surprised her family when she left her Tennessee home right out of high school and came to Hawai'i. So you can imagine her family's reaction when the girl who wanted to be an architect since she was 3 announced that she joined the Honolulu police force.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser But last night as Henley was about to take her oath as one of HPD's newest officers, Fryfogle was beaming with pride. Fryfogle and six other family members flew to Honolulu to watch as HPD's 36-member 148th recruit class was sworn in last night before a packed crowd at the Hawai'i Okinawa Center in Waipi'o.
"We're so happy," Fryfogle said. "The whole family has come from Tennessee and that's pride. How much prouder can you be?"
Henley, 22, said she took criminal justice classes at Hawai'i Pacific University and then found out that HPD has one of the highest-rated training academies in the country. She said she always had the urge to help people, so she signed up for recruit class.
After more than six months of training, Henley last night had her badge pinned to her uniform by her boyfriend.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser There are only two other women members of the recruit class and Henley is one of a few from the Mainland. But she said she was welcomed by everyone.
"We're just family. That's what Hawai'i is. We're a big family. No matter who you are they always treat you like family," Henley said.
Richard Pu'u, 24, was a mechanic until he decided to become a police officer. He said the recruit training was the toughest experience he has ever gone through, but it was worth it.
"I just wanted to give back to the community," said the Kailua resident. "We used to see a lot of stuff when I grew up that bothered me and now I can help change things."
When the 148th recruit class began on April 1, there were 62 candidates. The numbers slowly winnowed down to the 36 who graduated last night.
Deputy Chief Glen Kajiyama addressed the class and challenged its members to "do the best with what you have."
"We are passing the baton to you, to become a leader in our community," Kajiyama said. "The community depends on you."
Officer Anthony Nguyen was selected by the recruits to speak on their behalf. With their training, Nguyen said, he feels confident that we "have the knowledge and skills to walk in the footsteps of the officers before us."
"We have ultimately become our own family, and realize that our responsibilities are not only to protect the public, but to protect each other in the process," Nguyen said.
The department last night also handed out awards to the following members of the recruit class: David Shabaz, highest firearm score; Jason Malland, best athletic ability; Guy Folz, class scholar and outstanding recruit; and Jasmine McGuire, most inspirational.
Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.
"It was a shock. We were shocked," said Paula Fryfogle, Henley's mother.
Noel Araki, of Mililani, hugs Honolulu Police Department graduate Melvin Raquedan before the department's 148th police recruit class graduation at the Hawai'i Okinawa Center in Waipi'o.
"The training was long, but the knowledge and all the skills that we learned together, that made us what we are, made me what I am," Henley said.
Members of the Honolulu Police Department's 148th police recruit class salute before a packed crowd during graduation ceremonies last night at the Hawai'i Okinawa Center in Waipi'o.
