Commission declines to discipline police chief
The Maui Police Commission decided not to take disciplinary action against Police Chief John Pelletier on Wednesday after reviewing investigations of three employee complaints that alleged a hostile work environment.
In a statement following a closed executive session to discuss the complaints, commission Chairman Frank De Rego said the nine-member commission “unanimously voted to decline to initiate disciplinary proceedings” against Pelletier.
De Rego said “independent thirdparty investigators were retained to fully vet allegations of violations of county policies made by two sworn officers and one civilian employee” against Pelletier.
“Investigations concluded that two of the complaints were not substantiated by the evidence,” he said. “A third complaint was not substantiated to all grounds with the exception of an incident involving raised voices and unprofessional language.”
The three complaints are among eight that have been filed by county employees against Pelletier and members of his executive staff, according to the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. The complaints allege harassment in the workplace and gender discrimination, according to SHOPO.
In the statement, De Rego said, “The commission took note that Chief Pelletier has retained an executive coach to address management style. After carefully considering the investigative reports including all interviews and documentary evidence, the commission voted to file the complaints and not initiate disciplinary action. The commission’s annual review of the chief’s performance will include a review of the executive coaching program and its results.”
De Rego read the statement when the commission reconvened at 1:50 p.m., about three hours after ending the public portion of the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
Before then, the commission heard testimony supporting Pelletier from a dozen people, including eight who know him from when he worked at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
After some Las Vegas residents testified, Commissioner Lahela Aiwohi asked if the commission could disregard their testimony. “I don’t feel that it is really relevant because they’re not part of what is happening and this is more of a character witness than anything,” she said.
Commissioners were told they could give testimony the weight they felt it deserved.
The commission also received written testimony, including letters from Maui Police Department employees who didn’t give their names. One letter questioned the actions and motives of commissioners, but De Rego shut down discussion of the letter’s allegations, saying, “This is out of order.”
Aiwohi said there were allegations about commissioners that were “a little bit concerning” and wanted to provide them an opportunity to respond.
In stopping the discussion, De Rego said: “I would hate to set a precedent where commissioners are constantly being questioned about their motives through written testimony. It’s not even on the agenda.”
The statement read by De Rego at the end of the meeting also said: “The Maui Police Commission is concerned with the Police Department and all its members and wants to express its strong intention to do its part to foster the healing and growth of the department and its leadership.”