7-16-24 Community Police Officers Team Up With Vibrant Hawai‘i for Youth Academy Program
Hawai‘i Police Department
Hilo Community Policing Section
Lieutenant William Derr
Phone: (808) 961-2350
Media Release
The Hawaii Police Department’s Hilo Community Policing Section recently teamed up with Vibrant Hawai‘i and their Youth Academy program, interacting with teens around the island on topics ranging from physical fitness to first responder skills.
Vibrant Hawai‘i’s Youth Academy program is an opportunity for island youth to develop leadership and communication skills through hands-on activities led by first responders. The goal is to build resilience within the community. During the end of June and the first part of July, HPD’s Hilo Community Policing Officers participated in four events in Pāhoa, Hilo, Honoka‘a, and Hāwī, talking story with roughly 40 teens age 14 to 17.
The officers held interactive sessions discussing what it’s like to be a police officer, traffic safety, and more. Each event also included a physical fitness element with the officers teaching proper lifting techniques for heavy boxes.
“The kids asked really insightful questions and found the experience very rewarding,” said Community Police Officer Darren Abalos. He added that the officers enjoyed interacting with the kids as well, promoting collaboration between law enforcement and island youth.
A highlight of the talk story sessions was the officers demonstrating the proper use of a tourniquet, which is standard equipment on police officers’ uniform belts.
The Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to serving the Hawai‘i Island community and ensuring public safety through community policing, engagement, and collaboration. The department extends its thanks to Vibrant Hawai‘i for collaborating to increase our community’s resilience. Vibrant Hawaii is a community organization dedicated to building a resilient and thriving Hawaii through programs focused on leadership, education, and community engagement. For more details, please visit their web site: Vibrant Hawai’i (vibranthawaii.org).
