REPORT FROM KAUAI COUNTY – Kaua’i Police Chief Darryl Perry, Deputy Police Chief Michael Contrades and the Kaua’i Police Commission presented the department’s Officer of the Month recognition to two deserving officers at last month’s Police Commission meeting held at the Piikoi Building.
Officer George Laccone, a patrol officer with the Waimea substation, was honored for his work on two separate cases last November.
The first incident involved locating and arresting a suspect wanted on multiple Sexual Assault charges. Upon making the arrest, Officer Laccone recovered a small bag of marijuana on the suspect, prompting him to initiate a search warrant of the subject’s vehicle. This resulted in the recovery of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and additional felony charges for the individual who is now incarcerated.
In another case, Officer Laccone located and arrested a suspect in a Second Degree Assault case involving someone being shot with a pellet gun. Through swift action, Officer Laccone was able to close the case within 24 hours of the initial call.
Officer Laccone also issued 36 citations that month, in addition to the above arrests.
“Officer Laccone consistently demonstrates diligence and perseverance as a patrol officer and it has resulted in a safer community for all of us,” stated Waimea District Commander Lt. Richard Rosa.
The second commendation was awarded to Traffic Safety Officer Shawn Hanna for his vigilant enforcement of Hawai’i’s traffic laws.
In December of last year, Officer Hanna arrested 20 individuals for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII). These arrests counted for over half of the total OVUII arrests for that month.
In addition, Officer Hanna is working to implement an OVUII refresher course for the department’s patrol officers.
During the recognition ceremony, Sgt. Jason Overmyer of the Traffic Safety Section said of his colleague, “Officer Hanna’s commitment and dedication to making our roads safer by removing drunk drivers from our roads, and equipping our patrol officers to do the same, protects the welfare of both our residents and visitors and deserves to be commended.”