82nd Police Recruit graduating class, from L to R: Mathew Beadle; Dustin Broad; Richard Brown; Christopher Cabrera; Joshua Leines; Andrew Muraoka; Lance Okasaki; Stacy Perreira; and Arthur Styan.
By Staff Reports
(Kauai)– The Kaua’i Police Department held a graduation ceremony at the Kaua’i Beach Resort for its 82nd Police Recruit Class.
The event honored nine newly sworn-in Police Services Officers, including: Mathew Beadle; Dustin Broad; Richard Brown; Christopher Cabrera; Joshua Leines; Andrew Muraoka; Lance Okasaki; Stacy Perreira; and Arthur Styan.
Dustin Broad was also honored with a Most Outstanding Police Recruit award for being the most proficient in all areas of the recruit training process.
Guest speakers included Police Chief Darryl Perry, Deputy Chief Michael Contrades, Police Commission Chair Ernest Kanekoa, Jr. and Council Chair Jay Furfaro. Their messages centered on the importance of working as a team, and never straying from doing what is pono (right), as stated in KPD’s mission statement.
“You will be expected to stand up for what is right when it is the most difficult thing to do and you are up against insurmountable odds,” Chief Perry stated while addressing the group. “But under all circumstances, both on and off duty, and when times get really tough, let your mission be your guide. Never stray from its virtues and always be pono.”
Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. offered the keynote address at the ceremony, stressing the importance of unity and family.
“You are now part of a larger ‘ohana, and no matter what we are always one team. Our goal is common – to do the best for our community – and that is what guides us every day in all we do,” said Mayor Carvalho. “It is only by working together that we can make a positive difference for the people of our beautiful island of Kaua’i.”
The swearing in of officers was conducted by Honorable Chief Judge Randal Valenciano followed by the pinning of the badges.
The graduation ceremony is the culmination of six months and over 1,400 hours of recruit training, including a series of academic and physical challenges. The new police services officers have already begun their next phase of the program, which is three months of on-the-job training with a field training officer.
The last recruit graduation occurred in 2010, but with 19 current vacancies and upcoming retirements, the Kaua’i Police Department remains dedicated to its recruiting effort. The next recruit class is scheduled to begin in December of this year with another to follow shortly thereafter.
Those interested in becoming a Kaua’i police officer may visit www.kauai.gov/police to apply.
KPD offers these tips to applicants:
- When answering application questions, be thorough and honest.
- Consider your physical condition and get yourself prepared.
- Be sure to turn in all required documents in on time. No exceptions will be made.
- If there are follow-up requests to your application, be sure to respond in a timely manner.
For more information on the police recruiting process, contact Lt. Rob Gausepohl at
241-1651