Kauai Sun

--Kaua'i Police Department completes first summer camp for Aspiring Investigators last week--

LIHU’E – The Kaua’i Police Department completed its first 2022 Police Investigations and Forensic Science Camp for incoming high school juniors to outgoing seniors and collegiate level.  

The camp lasted from June 21 to June 24 at the Lihu’e Police station.   A total of 16 students attended the camp representing Kapa’a High School, Kaua’i High School, Waimea High School, Island School, Maryknoll High School, Hawai’i Tech Academy, Arizona State University, and the online GED program.  

The students learned the basic ins and out of Detective work and Forensic scientist work as well as other aspects of the job within the Kaua’i Police Department.  Throughout the four-day camp, the students acquired skills and knowledge, including:

• Interview and Interrogation techniques;

• Crime scene processing and evidence collection;

• Report taking and information gathering;

• Elements of crimes (Hawai’i Revised Statutes);

• De-escalation;

• Polygraph examination (lie detector testing);

• Emergency preparedness; and

• The importance of having integrity, studying, and working hard.

“The 2022 Police investigations and forensic science camp was a huge success.  The students were engaged throughout the camp, asked great questions, and were eager to learn about the various tips and tools of the trade,” said Investigative Services Bureau Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce.  “Likewise, the camp instructors were very engaged with the students during their presentation and course of instruction while providing great mentorship and foresight to the students about various aspects of the job.”  

The first two days of the camp prepared the students with the knowledge, training, and various tips and techniques for day three.  The third day comprised of a full-scale felony crime scene scenario that the students were tasked to investigate, process, and recover evidence and ultimately solve the crimes committed.  On day four, the students were introduced to the department’s drug detection and scent tracking canines, bomb technician and capabilities team and then a final wrap up with a certificate of completion ceremony held in the Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency’s main conference room. 

“As a young 22-year-old joining the Kaua’i Police Department over 24 years ago in 1998, this career in law enforcement has been extremely rewarding and humbling-Serving and protecting the community I grew up in, reside in, and raised my family in, motives me and our entire KPD Ohana even more to give back to our island youth so that the future of the Kaua’i Police Department can be perpetuated with the next generation of future aspiring police employees.”

To learn more about the Kaua’i Police Department please visit www.kauai.gov/police.  To apply to become a Kaua’i police officer, visit www.kauai.gov/jobs.

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