By Staff Reports
(Kauai)– The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) recognized School Resource Officer (SRO) Bobby Thompson as the Employee of the Month during October’s Police Commission meeting held on Oct. 27, at the Pi‘ikoi Building.
The Administrative and Technical Bureau honored SRO Thompson for his outstanding investigative work and prompt action that led to the arrest of three male adults and the detainment of three male juvenile suspects in a Criminal Property Damage and Burglary incident at Waimea High School.
According to Sgt. Anthony Morita, on Sept. 25, Waimea High School personnel discovered graffiti displayed throughout the school’s campus. In total, there were over 26 different writings on various walls of separate buildings, trash dumpsters, storage containers, and a classroom.
Graffiti was also observed on the walls of the County of Kaua‘i tennis court located on the campus, and on a concrete block storage shed belonging to the nearby Waimea Neighborhood Center.
SRO Thompson conducted an initial investigation and located key pieces of evidence left at the crime scene, which led to the questioning of possible suspects and eventually to the arrest of three male adults and the detainment of three male juveniles. His investigation also revealed that the primary suspect was responsible for unpermitted graffiti displayed in other locations throughout the island.
“SRO Thompson worked expeditiously and persistently to investigate every lead presented to him,” stated Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry. “We thank and commend him for his professionalism and dedication to serve and protect the West Side community, including the students and staff at Waimea High School.”