For his dedicated investigative efforts regarding a 34-year-old female suspect who was repeatedly victimizing the Puna community, Officer Paul Rose was honored by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i as Officer of the Month for August 2021 during a ceremony at the Pahoa Police Station on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

The woman had been arrested six times in less than four weeks between late July and August for a variety of crimes ranging from terroristic threatening when she threatened to stab an elderly couple with garden loppers to going to private residences and yelling and swearing at the homeowners and their children.

On August 21, she broke into two vehicles in a public parking lot near a government building, taking several items, including two firearms. A government employee called police when he saw the suspect standing near his truck wearing his rain jacket, which had been taken from within his vehicle.

Aware of her previous arrests, Officer Rose worked long hours beyond his required shifts conducting a thorough investigation to ensure the suspect would no longer be able to victimize others in the community.

As a result of his efforts the woman was charged with 10 offenses, including two counts of unlawful entry into a motor vehicle in the first degree, two counts of theft in the first degree, three counts of theft in the fourth degree, and three counts of ownership prohibited. Her total bail was set at $54,750 and she remains in custody.

Every month the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i honors a police officer in East Hawaii as their officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the police districts in Area I, including Hāmākua, North Hilo, South Hilo, and Puna districts, and a winner is selected.

All officers selected for Officer of the Month are eligible to be selected as the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i Officer of the Year.

Pictured: Officer Paul Rose with James Sanborn of Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i.