Report Title:

Grant-in-aid; Citizens Police Academy; Leeward Residents

Description:

Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to Honolulu police department for a citizens police training program to be conducted at least once a year in a location convenient to Oahu residents, particularly in communities seeking to expand citizen participation in fighting neighborhood crime.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1885

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for a citizens police training program.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Mililani Town Anti-Drug Committee and Mililani neighborhood board and neighborhood security watch members agree that appropriate volunteer training and the cooperation of local residents are important elements in a law enforcement agency's ability to fight neighborhood drug and crime problems. The existing Citizens Police Academy is an interactive program of the Honolulu police department that educates the public about police policy, operational procedures, the criminal justice system, and methods of crime reduction. The program establishes a partnership that allows residents of Oahu and members of the Honolulu police department to share ideas and information and to interact in a positive, proactive manner.

The Citizens Police Academy program, currently conducted primarily at the Honolulu police department's Alapai headquarters, educates the public on law enforcement issues that include: firearms, police communications, report writing, vehicle operations, domestic violence, crime scene investigation, and community policing.

The legislature further finds that participation in a program such as the Citizens Police Academy often results in increased citizen participation in the fight against neighborhood drug crimes based upon a broader understanding of the issues. Making education and training sessions such as the Citizens Police Academy available to Oahu residents in their own communities would create an educated citizenry who would more effectively work with law enforcement officers to combat drug and crime issues that affect their respective neighborhoods.

The purpose of this Act is to provide an appropriation for a grant-in-aid to the Honolulu police department to conduct the Citizens Police Academy program at least one time per year in a community on Oahu that expresses active interest in educating and training its residents to fight neighborhood crime and drug problems.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $       , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, as a grant-in-aid to the Honolulu police department of the city and county of Honolulu to conduct a Citizens Police Academy program at least once per year in a location conveniently accessible to residents of Oahu, particularly in communities that seek to expand citizen participation in fighting neighborhood crimes through a broad understanding of law enforcement issues. The Citizens Police Academy shall cover topics currently covered at the program conducted at the Alapai headquarters of the Honolulu police department and shall also educate program participants on the constraints encountered by law enforcement agencies when investing drug crimes and other crimes, including relevant laws.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Honolulu police department of the county of Honolulu for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________