Community Programs
Hawaiʻi Police Department Community Policing Officers are problem solvers at heart. Assigned to every district on island, they are responsible for developing partnerships within the community to create a safe and secure environment. This can be accomplished through community mobilization, crime prevention efforts, and problem solving with programs such as Neighborhood Watch, Citizen Patrol, etc. Through mobilization, Community Policing Officers can facilitate a community’s efforts to create positive changes within their neighborhood.
Serving Our Community
The Hawaiʻi Police Department’s goal of combating crime and providing efficient service depends to a large degree on the assistance and understanding it receives from the general public. To promote public understanding, the department maintains several programs to help the community and increase its awareness of police operations.
A Neighborhood Watch Program is a community-driven initiative designed to enhance the safety and security of a neighborhood through active participation by residents. It fosters collaboration between community members and local law enforcement to monitor and report suspicious activities, deter crime, and build a safer environment. The importance of a Neighborhood Watch Program lies in its ability to strengthen community bonds, reduce crime rates, and increase the sense of security and vigilance among residents.
How to Start a Neighborhood Watch Program in Your Community
- Organize an initial meeting: invite neighbors and local law enforcement to discuss the need for a watch program, gather interest, and outline goals.
- Form a core group: establish a small committee or group of volunteers who will lead the efforts, coordinate activities, and act as points of contact for the program.
- Establish communication channels: set up a system for regular communication, such as email lists, social media groups, or messaging apps, to keep everyone informed about activities and updates.
- Conduct regular patrols or walks: organize regular neighborhood patrols or walks, where residents can monitor their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to authorities.
- Host ongoing meetings and events: regularly schedule meetings and events to discuss progress, share information, and maintain community engagement and participation.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department provides information and presentations on several crime prevention and safety topics, such as Personal Safety, Robbery Readiness, Safety for Senior Citizens, Theft and Scams, and Workplace Violence. These presentations are available to individuals, community groups, schools, and businesses.
The department receives many requests for speakers on police-related subjects from community groups, Scouts, and schools. All requests are acted on immediately, and personnel who specialize in the subject matter are assigned to speak. Requests for speakers are coordinated by the Community Relations Section, and assignments are made by the division commanders.
To schedule a speaker, please call the Community Relations Section at (808) 961-2264 in Hilo.
Unused or expired prescription medications may be dropped off year-round at each of our eight district police stations as part of the state, Department of Health’s medication drop box program.
A special duty officer is a police officer who is hired for a specific period of time to perform a special duty, such as security or traffic control.
Community-Traffic Awareness Partnership
The Community-Traffic Awareness Partnership (C-TAP) program is a partnership with the police and communities to educate and encourage safe driving within designated neighborhoods. Community members hold signs warning motorists of the dangers of speeding in their neighborhood. A “Speed Board” display is used by the police to show motorists how fast they are going. Police will follow up weeks later with actual enforcement to ensure that motorists comply with the speed limit.
Police Week
In observance of fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the line of duty, Police Week is celebrated in conjunction with the observance of National Police Week during the month of May. It was first instituted through a U.S. Senate joint resolution in the 87th congress and signed by the late President John F. Kennedy on June 21, 1961. During the week, there are “Open Houses” at all police stations on the Hawaiʻi Island with special tours of the police station.
2023 Police Week Ceremony in Hilo
Past Police Week Media Releases
Are You an HPD Staff or Family Member?
Services for Kids
The Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League (HI-PAL) program provides social and athletic activities for the youth of Hawaiʻi between the ages of 5 and 17.
Station tours are conducted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. by qualified personnel. Civic groups, students, parents and out-of-town visitors are always welcome. Activities and functions of each division are explained to all visitors.
To sign up, call the Community Relations Section at (808) 961-2264 in Hilo.
A police officer will visit a requesting school, both public and private, covering pre-school nurseries and kindergarten through the third grade to teach youngsters the role of a police officer and his/her duties. Most importantly, the officer will try to make the youngsters understand that a police officer is their friend. A session typically features an explanation of the equipment an officer carries, and a lecture on traffic safety, getting along with society and respecting your parents. A question-and-answer period follows with the finale highlighted by issuing the kids a “Your Friend the Police Officer” coloring book, along with a gold “Junior Police Officer” badge. Police Officers also give talks to junior high and high school students.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department provides free keiki IDs at community events around the island throughout the year. A photograph of the child is taken and laminated onto a department-issued identification card with emergency information about a child. Parents are then given the keiki ID card.
For more info, contact the Hilo Community Policing Lieutenant at (808) 961-2350.
School Resource Officers are positive role models that deal with crime on campus, teach informative classes to students, provide law related counseling and are liaisons between the school and the Police Department.
SROs are assigned to:
- Hilo Intermediate School
- Waiākea Intermediate School
- Honokaʻa High and Intermediate School
- Pāhoa High and Intermediate School
- Keaʻau Middle School
- Konawaena Middle School
- Waimea Intermediate School
- Waikoloa Elementary and Intermediate School
The Hawaiʻi Police Department provides a variety of drug awareness programs with displays and lectures by experienced Vice Section and Community Policing Officers as a service to the community. The primary objective of this program is to eliminate or reduce the use of drugs among young people.
To learn more, contact a Community Policing Coordinator:
Hāmākua/North Hilo, South Hilo, Puna
(808) 961-2350
North Kohala, South Kohala, Kona, Kaʻu
(808) 326-4646, Ext. 259
Career Fairs
We always welcome opportunities to talk story with people considering a career in law enforcement. If you’d like us to come to your event, please call the Community Relations Section at (808) 961-2264.
Unsolved Homicides
Hawaiʻi Police Department believes every victim deserves justice, and that the deceased victim’s family, friends, and community deserve closure.
Please take a moment to review the Unsolved Homicides summaries and if you have any information pertaining to any of these cases, please submit a tip, email us or call our Unsolved Homicides Division at (808) 961-2380 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. Thank you for your help!
