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Big Island
panel delays vote
on Carvalho
Police chief's supporters
By Rod Thompson
rally to his defense at the
removal hearing
Star-BulletinHILO -- After months of calls for Hawaii County Police Chief Wayne Carvalho to resign or be fired because of a cheating scandal, his supporters fought back.
The county police commission heard testimony yesterday on a complaint from Big Island officer Tanny Cazimero asking for Carvalho's removal. But after four hours of public testimony which ran more than 2-to-1 in favor of the chief, the commission delayed a vote on whether to take up the complaint until a July 21 meeting in Waimea.
In December, a jury found Carvalho and others liable for alleged cheating on promotions in the 1980s when Guy Paul was chief and Carvalho his deputy. The jury also found Carvalho liable for events in the early 1990s when he had retired from the department.
"He was found liable for things that went on when he wasn't even there. That's how crazy the verdict is," attorney Richard Peterson told the commission yesterday.
County attorney Ted Hong pointed out that the allegations refer only to a period when Paul or his successor, Victor Vierra, controlled the department. Since Carvalho rejoined the department as chief in 1994, there have been no allegations of cheating, he said.
Attorneys connected with the case told the commission to reserve judgment on Carvalho until after the case is appealed.
But Cazimero says there is still an appearance of impropriety. He changed his previous call for permanent removal to a suggestion that Carvalho be temporarily removed until the appeal is final.
Carvalho's supporters note the trial in state court took place after U.S. District Judge David Ezra threw out a similar federal suit.
Peterson quoted Ezra: "The evidence shows (then-Inspector Francis) DeMorales and Carvalho may have been the alleged victims of the chief's (Paul's) extortionate acts."
Carvalho critics say he should be removed, that department morale has suffered. "Has this conviction been detrimental to the operation of our police force? Give us an answer," Jon Olson testified.
But Peterson said, "I've spoken to officers who said there is no morale problem. There is a small faction (of critics) like a cancer in the department."
County Council member Julie Jacobson countered that she would be rich if she got a nickel for every person who thanked her for raising questions about the chief.
