Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz has announced three promotions, one officer from Captain to Major, and two officers from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, effective May 16, 2024.
Jeremie Evangelista, a 29-year veteran of the department, is promoted to Major and assigned to the Technical Services Division, responsible for overseeing the department’s Communications Dispatch Center, Communications Maintenance Section, Computer Center, Records and Identification Section, and Traffic Services Section. He most recently served as Acting Major Major of Area II (West Hawai‘i) Operations. Prior to that Evangelista served as Captain of the South Kohala District, Captain of the North Kohala District, Lieutenant South Kohala and Kona Districts, Sergeant of South Kohala Patrol, Detective in Area I Criminal Investigation Section, and Patrol Officer in North and South Kohala Districts.
In March 2018 Evangelista graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy, a 10-week program of professional study and physical training for US and international law enforcement managers. He was recognized as the North Hawaii Public Safety Committee’s Officer of the Month and Officer of the Quarter on three occasions.
Edwin Buyten, a 22-year veteran of the department, is promoted to Captain and assigned to the Ka‘ū District. Buyten most recently served as Lieutenant of the Area II Vice Section. Prior to that he served as Lieutenant of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section and Lieutenant of Kona Patrol. He also served as a Detective and Officer in Area II Vice, as well as the Special Response Team and Area II Special Enforcement Unit. He started his career as a Patrol Officer in the Kona district.
Buyten was named the Kona Crime Prevention Committee’s Officer of the Month six times over the years and awarded Officer of the Year by the group in 2006. Additional accolades include being named Law Enforcement and Security Coalition of Hawaii 2010 Top Cop and he has twice been awarded each of the following: the FBI Directors Award, United States Secret Service Investigators Award, and the Hawai‘i State Law Enforcement Officials Association Officer of the Year.
Roylen Valera, a 27-year veteran of the department is promoted to Captain and assigned to the South Kohala District where he most recently served as Acting Captain. Prior to that he served as Lieutenant in the Hāmākua District and Lieutenant of Area II Juvenile Aid Section. He worked as a Detective in the Area II Criminal Investigation and Juvenile Aid Sections, as well as Sergeant of Kona Community Policing Section, and as a School Resource Officer and Police Officer II in Hāmākua, and a Patrol Officer in the North Kohala District.
Valera was honored as Officer of the Month by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i and received the Champion and Protector’s award from the East Hawaii Children’s Justice Center.