Kaua'i Police Department

A small group of Kaua’i Girl Scouts joined Kaua’i police, along with representatives from the Children’s Justice Center, Life’s Choices and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, to place pinwheels around the KPD courtyard in solidarity with victims of child abuse and sexual abuse. The garden pinwheel event is held annually to help raise awareness for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and Sexual Abuse Prevention Month. This week is also National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a commemoration that occurs every April that raises awareness about victimization and the laws and other programs designed to help those impacted by crime. (Please make sure to enjoy the photobombing session at the end.)

-KPD hosts Drug Take Back Day on April 24- LHU‘E The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) is collecting unused, unwanted, or expired medications on National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at KPD headquarters, located at 3990 Ka‘ana Street, in Lhu‘e. Tablets, capsules, liquids and other forms of medication prescription or nonprescription including patches, are accepted. New or used needles and syringes are not accepted.... This service is free and anonymous, and no questions will be asked. Drug Take Back Day is part of a national initiative coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) which focuses on providing a safe, convenient, and responsible method of disposing medications, while also educating the community about the potential for abuse and consequences of improper storage and disposal. Anyone who is not able to participate in this National Drug Take Back Day can visit KPD headquarters at any time and anonymously drop off any unused or expired medication via the permanently installed medication drop box. For more information on the National Drug Take Back Initiative, please visit the DEA’s website at www.dea.gov, or contact KPD Investigative Services Bureau Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce at 241-1681. ###

-Statement regarding disciplinary action involving Chief of Police- LHU‘E On September 8, 2020, the Kauai Police Commission received a complaint made against the Chief of Police from an employee of the Kauai Police Department, and determined an investigation was warranted. The complaint alleged the Chief of Police did not promote an employee based upon the employee’s ancestry, race, or national origin; the promotional process violated civil service laws; and the Chief o...f Police violated the County Policy Against Discrimination. The County of Kauai Department of Human Resources conducted the investigation into the allegations against the Chief of Police. The Department of Human Resources’ investigation concluded there was no evidence to support that the Chief of Police failed to promote the employee based upon the employee’s ancestry, race, or national origin, and that the promotional selection was, fair, objective, and did not violate civil service laws or rules. The Department of Human Resources’ investigation also concluded that comments related to a protected class made in the workplace on November 13, 2019, and July 29, 2020, by the Chief of Police, did violate the County Policy Against Discrimination. The Kauai Police Commission has issued the Chief of Police a five-day unpaid suspension (April 26-30) for violating the County Policy. In addition, the Chief of Police will complete Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Cultural Sensitivity Training. I value and appreciate diversity in the workplace and within the community. I accept responsibility for my comments and will continue to use this experience to expand my cultural awareness and increase my knowledge and understanding of different cultures, said Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck. I am deeply humbled by the support I have received and appreciate the grace I have been given. Moving forward I am even more committed to serving this great community and doing the work necessary to maintain the confidence of the Police Commission and the employees of the Kauai Police Department. ###

Waimea woman arrested for promoting a dangerous drug LHUE Kauai police arrested 65-year-old Roberta Bactad of Waimea on April 8 after locating methamphetamine in her possession. The Kauai Police Department’s Vice Section executed a search warrant on Bactad and her vehicle. During the search, police recovered approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine and $4,223 in U.S. currency.... Bactad was arrested for Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the First Degree. She was booked and released on $20,000 bail. ###

Dispatchers recognized during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week LHU‘E The Kauai Police Department honored its dispatchers during a small ceremony on Tuesday in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The yearly event, which occurs the second week in April, is an effort to express gratitude toward telecommunicators within the public safety sector who dedicate their work to serving the community.... We are fortunate to our dispatchers who, day in and day out, offer a voice for those who are under tremendous distress, said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami, who attended Tuesday’s ceremony. Having that voice over the phone means so much to so many families. Thank you for your work. We honor you every day, but this is the one week of the year we formalize how much you mean to our team and community. Approximately 20 employees work within the Communications Section of KPD and provide the quick response that is needed for those who call 911 and the non-emergency line. They are the first to respond to a multitude of calls of distress every day, including medical emergencies, fires, assaults, and traffic crashes. Certificates of honor were created for each of the dispatchers and Police Chief Todd G. Raybuck personally presented five to the individuals who were working during the Tuesday ceremony. We don’t get to say it enough, but you are all so important, said Chief Raybuck. When people are in need and they can’t even help themselves, it’s you who work hard and get them the help that they need. We appreciate you; you’re a valuable part of the department. ###