Big Isle woman alleges
police failed to protect her

She says a dispatcher did not help
when she was chased by a cop

---

By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

HILO >> A Big Island woman who said last year that she was raped numerous times by a county policeman now says the Police Department refused to help her in December when she made a 911 call to report that the officer was threatening her.

A copy of the department's 911 tape, provided to the Star-Bulletin by the woman, Kiana Dempster, confirms that the department declined to respond.

A police dispatcher is heard on the tape saying, "Your lawyer put a paper on the Police Department that they cannot, they cannot stop and talk to you unless your lawyer is there."

Dempster's attorney Robert Kim told the Star-Bulletin, "That's baloney." Kim said his letter to police referred to pending cases involving Dempster. Nothing in the letter prevents police from helping her in time of danger, he said.

Dempster, 21, alleged last year that Freeman raped her repeatedly from the time she was 15 until last year, while giving her illegal drugs to control her.

Dempster obtained a restraining order last year to keep Freeman away from her, but on Dec. 6, District Judge Joseph Florendo refused to extend it after hearing testimony from her and several officers. Florendo said Dempster's testimony was not reliable because her memory was clouded by drug use, and he gave it no weight.

Freeman's attorney Frederick Gregg said the judge's comments apply to Dempster's current claim about Freeman -- that it deserves "no credence."

Hawaii County Police Department Maj. Morton Carter said an internal investigation will be done regarding Dempster's 911 complaint.

Police Commission secretary Josie Pelayo confirmed that Dempster filed a complaint with the commission. According to a copy given to the Star-Bulletin by Dempster, the complaint is against "a dispatcher (name unknown)." The complaint says, "On December 12th someone that I know made several attempts to force me off the road. I made a call to 911, and the dispatcher refused to send any help."

Dempster told the Star-Bulletin that Officer Danny Freeman "came flying up" behind her car to within one foot of it, backed off and ran up close again about seven or eight times. Finally he passed her.

She called 911 from a cellular phone as the alleged incident was taking place. She cries throughout the eight-minute 911 tape, and at the point when she reports Freeman driving past her, she becomes hysterical, and nothing she says can be understood.

Dempster is to be tried Feb. 26 for allegedly making a false report about an unrelated matter. She says a police officer made the report against her wishes.

Freeman remains on paid leave while police investigate Dempster's earlier claims of rape.