HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR2-14-17KPD
C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO, JR.
Mayor
WALLACE REZENTES, JR.
Managing Director
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: February 14, 2017
DARRYL PERRY, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
KPD dispatcher and accreditation team recognized at
Police Commission meeting
LĪHU'E – Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl D. Perry and the Kaua‘i Police Commission recently
presented Employee of the Month recognitions to a KPD dispatcher and to the team in charge
of KPD’s CALEA accreditation.
Dispatcher Christina Chong Tim was honored for assisting a woman through a
successful home birth. In October of last year, a female called 911 when her 31-year-old sister
began giving birth while in her Kekaha home. There was not enough time to transport the
woman to the hospital, so Chong Tim talked the pregnant woman’s sister through the delivery
process while they waited for help to arrive.
Over the course of the six-minute call, Chong Tim remained calm and professional as
she coached the caller through each step of the delivery. The cry of a healthy newborn could be
heard in the background just as medics and firefighters arrived to the scene to assist.
Both mother and sister attended Chong Tim’s award ceremony with the newborn baby
boy. It was learned later that they were the daughters of a former KPD employee.
“Dispatcher Chong Tim did an exceptional job in reacting quickly and compassionately in
this family’s time of need,” stated Assistant Chief Roy Asher. “A call of this nature is rare and
our dispatchers have to be prepared to respond to all types of incidents at any given moment.
The happy ending to this story is a testament to Christina’s dedication to her profession and the
people of Kaua‘i. We thank her for her service and dedication.”
The department also recently recognized members of KPD’s accreditation team.
In November, the department received national accreditation from the Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Becoming an accredited law
enforcement agency was a high priority for Chief Perry since 2007.
Several years went by without progress and in 2012, Lt. Jon Takamura was assigned to
manage the accreditation process, in addition to his duties within KPD’s Traffic Safety Section.
In 2015, Sgt. Jason Matsuoka was assigned full-time to assist Lt. Takamura in the accreditation
efforts. They were also assisted by Lt. James Miller, Sgt. Troy Sakaguchi, Secretary Johnette
Chun, and contract-hire Laura Saunders.
Over the course of the past four years, the team accomplished the arduous task of
developing policies, which included a comprehensive audit of the department’s policies and
operations, an on-site audit by CALEA representatives, and a thorough review of comments and
feedback from the department’s employees and the general public.
Deputy Police Chief Michael Contrades credited many individuals both within and
outside the organization for their assistance, under the leadership of the accreditation team.
“These were the key individuals who were instrumental in achieving this longstanding
goal of the department,” stated Deputy Chief Contrades. “Only 5% of all law enforcement
agencies across the United States are accredited, and it is through this group’s efforts that KPD
is among them. It is my honor and pleasure to award this team as our Employees of the Month
for their unwavering commitment to this task.”
Above Photo: Dispatcher Christina Chong Tim (holding certificate) was awarded the Employee of the
Month award at a recent Police Commission meeting. She was joined by her father, former KPD Lt.
Randy Chong Tim (far right) and Police Chief Darryl Perry (far left), as well as the family of the baby
boy she helped to deliver in October of last year.
Above photo: Police Chief Darryl Perry (far left) and Deputy Police Chief Michael Contrades (far right)
stand with members of KPD’s accreditation team after they were recognized as Employees of the Month:
(L-R) Lt. James Miller; Sgt. Jason Matsuoka; Sgt. Troy Sakaguchi; Johnette Chun. Missing from this
photo are Lt. Jon Takamura and Laura Saunders.
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