HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR120419Officerscommendedfortacticsusedtodisarmmalesubject)F� OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
qa 4 MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 5, 2019
KAUA`1 POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Officers commended for tactics used to disarm male subject
LIHUE — The Kauai Police Department (KPD) recognized two Officers of the Month
during November's Police Commission meeting held on Nov. 22 at the Mo`ikeha Building.
Patrol Services Bureau officers Tyson Relacion and Vernon Basuel II were dispatched to
a Kilauea residence after receiving a report of what the caller referred to as a gunshot or an
explosion near her tenant's residence on July 7. The caller also reported that her tenant was
allegedly intoxicated and attempting to leave in his vehicle.
When officers Relacion and Basuel arrived at the scene, they were warned by a female
bystander that the male subject had a gun. The officers took cover by placing the subject's
vehicle between them and the doorway of the residence. After they saw the male subject exit
the residence holding a rifle and ammunition in his hand, Relacion and Basuel drew their
firearms.
The officers remained calm and kept their fortitude while ordering the man to drop his
rifle. The subject hesitated and the officers kept their weapons drawn in case the man pointed
his rifle at them or at the female bystander. The subject was ordered once again to drop his
weapon at which point he complied and was subsequently taken into custody without further
incident.
"We rarely see these kind of situations that end positively in the news. This was an
exemplary instance of officers using their training and good judgement to de-escalate a situation
that could have ended much worse," said Kauai Police Chief Todd G. Raybuck. "I commend
Officers Tyson Relacion and Vernon Basuel for using their police presence and outstanding
composure in order to subdue this individual without any loss of life or injury."
Photo courtesy KPD: Kauai Police Chief Todd G. Raybuck congratulates Officers of the
Month Tyson Relacion (left) and Vernon Basuel II at the Police Commission meeting on Nov.
22.