Posted at 4:11 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2006
Kaua'i assistant police chief files whistleblower suit
Advertiser Staff
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — An assistant chief of the Kaua'i Police Department has filed a state whistleblower suit against Police Chief K.C. Lum and the county, alleging he was retaliated against for urging an investigation into possible wrongdoing by department vice officers.Assistant Chief Clayton Arinaga, who heads the department's patrol division, was placed on administrative leave while investigators launched a probe into an incident that occurred five years ago. Arinaga alleges the actions were a form off punishment for his insistence that the department look into the possible misuse of government funds by three officers then members of the vice squad.
County officials could not be reached for comment on the suit. It is the latest in a series of troubles facing the department, including the call this week by both the mayor and the police union for Lum's removal as chief.
