3 men join Kaua‘i police force

Three officers graduated from the Kaua’i Police Department 98th Police Academy in a ceremony on Thursday morning.

Arthur Kahahawai, Jonah Farias, and Joseph Esaki received their badges and took their Oath of Office at the Veterans Center in front of friends, family, and co-workers. Acting Lt. Matthew Tavares served as the Master of Ceremonies and presented the graduating class.

Assistant Chief Mark Ozaki spoke on behalf of Police Chief Todd Raybuck. He talked about the graduates’ maturity and life experiences that brought them to this point.

“The demeanor, professionalism, and attention to detail these men have can only be from someone with life experience. They know a thing or two about the world we live in, and that is a great characteristic to have,” Ozaki said.

Acting Lt. Alan Santella of the training department presented the officers with awards for marksmanship, physical fitness and exemplary performance.

During the ceremony, the families of the graduates were welcomed to the KPD ‘ohana. The newly sworn in officers expressed gratitude toward the entire training department and their families for their continued encouragement.

The ceremony celebrated the graduates’ 23 weeks of physical, classroom, and reality-based training in a variety of aspects. On Friday, the officers begin to shadow a Field Training Officer for the next four months. After completion of their field training, they will be assigned a district permanently in the Patrol Service Bureau.

The department is currently recruiting for the 100th Police Academy class. For more information, click here.

Also in attendance at the graduation were Reiko Matsuyama and Sarah Blane representing the Mayor’s Office, Police Chaplain Jade Waialeale-Battad, Council Member Felicia Cowden, Police Commission Chair Mary Hertog and Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like.