State billed
$258,934 for manhuntHPD wants to be reimbursed for
overtime, helicopter use and other costs
The Honolulu Police Department has billed the state $258,934 for overtime and other costs incurred during the manhunt for three prison escapees last month.
Assistant Chief Boisse Correa said that while requests for reimbursement from the state or federal government is not uncommon, "this one is unusual because it involves escapees."
"We seldom have a major one like this -- three individuals that proved themselves dangerous in the acts prior to being incarcerated," he said. "We had to catch these individuals. All stops went out."
The department sent a letter to the governor Friday requesting $192,448 in overtime costs, $7,986 in fringe benefits (such as Social Security) and $58,500 for the use of its helicopter during the six-day pursuit of Albert Batalona, David Scribner and Warren Elicker.
Police logged 5,831.75 hours in overtime at an average of $33 an hour. The police helicopter logged 117 hours and was billed at $500 an hour.
Correa said the request was made because the city lacks the funding needed to cover the costs, and not because of any friction between the Police Department and state Department of Public Safety.
"It's a crunch period for all public agencies," he said. "When you get in these kinds of situations, it would be irresponsible if you didn't ask for some type of reimbursement."
Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday: "We will be meeting with the chief (Lee Donohue) and talking about the expenses and make sure there is fairness now and in the future.
"It is just like any other bill the state receives: I don't just pay it because someone says you owe this amount. We will review it, talk to public safety and determine what is fair in reimbursing the Police Department," she said.
A massive search was launched after the three escaped from the state-run Halawa Correctional Facility April 4.
Batalona was serving a life term without parole for shooting at a police officer in a 1999 Kahala bank robbery. Elicker had 13 felony convictions and was serving two 20-year consecutive terms, while Scribner was serving a 10-year term for a failed prison escape and had seven felony convictions.
On April 6, law enforcement officers began combing the mountains and valleys of Hauula after a pig hunter reported spotting the escapees.
The search was stepped up with day-and-night use of the police helicopter equipped with an infrared heat-sensing scope and a task force of more than 100 law enforcement officers from HPD patrol units, its Crime Reduction Unit, Specialized Services Division and Criminal Investigation Division, along with state officers.
The fugitives were captured April 10 within minutes of one another in Kaneohe and Punaluu.
Correa justified the request for payment, saying, "We were assisting the state in apprehending the escapees from their institution and which were in (their) custody."
Police officials said they have requested reimbursement in other instances, such as the anti-riot prevention measures taken for the Asian Development Bank meeting in May 2001.
Although protests were peaceful, police braced for the worst after anti-globalization riots erupted in Seattle.
Police spent $3 million over 10 months to train and provide security.
The state matched city funds with $525,000 for the purchase of anti-riot gear -- helmets, shields, ordnance and bicycles.
The Police Department also received $992,008 of the $1.3 million in federal funds that the state received.
Star-Bulletin reporter Richard Borreca contributed to this report.
State of Hawaii Honolulu Police Department