Hawai‘i police detectives have charged a 28-year-old North Kohala patrol officer with abuse following a domestic dispute at a residence in Ainaloa, on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

The officer is identified as John Chiquita IV. He has 16 months of service with the Hawai’i Police Department.

On Wednesday evening, October 5, 2022, after conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, detectives charged Chiquita with a single-count of petty-misdemeanor abuse of a family or household member. His bail was set at $1,000.

The charge stems from an incident that was reported on Tuesday evening, October 4, 2022. The 28-year-old victim reported to police that she and Chiquita were involved in a verbal argument on Saturday afternoon, which then turned physical. The victim was not injured during the altercation; however, she reported feeling pain. She did not require medical attention.

Chiquita and the victim were previously involved in a long-term relationship, and have several children in common. 

Detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section were assigned to the investigation and arrested Chiquita at a Puna residence on Wednesday afternoon.

Chiquita was hired as a police recruit with the Hawai‘i Island Police on June 1, 2021, and was assigned to a solo patrol assignment in the North Kohala district on April 16, 2022. He is currently within the standard initial 18-month new hire probationary period. He has been placed on leave without pay pending completion of an Administrative investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards.

The Hawai’i Island Police maintains a proactive approach to domestic violence by department members, with an emphasis on zero tolerance.