Latest news with #JoeLogan
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lawsuit claims HPD made DUI arrests on sober drivers, offered incentives to officers who made arrests
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Honolulu Police Department is accused of arresting people who haven't been drinking at all, and offered incentives for officers who made those arrests. Those claims are from a class action lawsuit filed in court Thursday. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi claims Honolulu Police are arresting drivers for DUI even though they're completely sober. 'Let me be clear, public safety matters, but falsely arresting people using unreliable observations or assumptions undermines that very safety,' said Salmah Rizvi, ACLU Hawaii executive director. ACLU Hawaiʻi filed a class action lawsuit against the city and county of Honolulu, Chief Joe Logan, and seven individual officers who they say made false arrests. ACLU attorneys say from 2022 to 2024, HPD arrested 129 people who had a blood alcohol level of 0.00. Of those, the ACLU says 15 were given tickets and three were charged with operating a vehicle while on drugs. 'So now, when I drive, I'm always nervous,' said Tanner Pangan, plaintiff. 'Always nervous, and I don't know which cops are out to get me, or, like, which cops are just… trying to get numbers in the system.' 'Because I felt like before I got arrested, I had an image that police officers are there to safeguard us, protect us, you know, especially those who are innocent,' said Ammon Fepuleai, plaintiff. 'Yet that has completely changed my perception.' ACLU claims the reasons for the false arrests are that the department gets federal funds for DUI enforcement, and says officers were offered incentives. 'What we've been told is that supervisors for the night enforcement unit have told officers, if you make a DUI arrest, you can go home, and you'll still get paid for your entire shift,' said Emily Hills, ACLU Hawaii senior attorney. Attorneys also say officers who made more DUI arrests were given more opportunities for overtime. And those that did not were threatened with having their patrol cars taken away. In a statement, Honolulu Police say they take these allegations seriously and have initiated a 'comprehensive review' of all impaired driving arrests going back to 2021. Here is the number of DUI arrests made by HPD: 2025 (~6 months): 7352024: 15732023: 23992022: 25432021: 2461 HPD also says they did start a refresher training for DUI arrests in May 2024, before they were aware of any of the allegations from ACLU. They add that they will take appropriate actions should any misconduct be found. The lawsuit isn't asking for any monetary damages, but ACLU wants the court to say HPD's practices are unconstitutional and unlawful and force them to make changes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘We have an alarming increase in pedestrian crashes:' HPD police chief
HONOLULU (KHON2) — An alarming number of crashes involving pedestrians on Oahu has city officials on high alert. The most recent pedestrian crash occurred on Tuesday, March 4, when an 81-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition. Speeding, pedestrian safety top priorities for Hawaii Department of Transportation Honolulu police said the man attempted to cross Ward Ave within a marked crosswalk when he fell. Officials added that he was out of the line of sight of a 32-year-old male driver, who proceeded to travel northbound before running over the pedestrian. According to HPD Police Chief Joe Logan, Oahu saw 19 pedestrian-related traffic fatalities in 2024, including nine other pedestrians critically injured. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'Many of those fatalities were from individuals who were walking against the 'Don't Walk' sign or they were at unmarked crosswalks,' said Chief Logan. So far in 2025, Oahu has seen six pedestrian-related traffic fatalities. Four other individuals have been critically injured. Chief Logan said HPD's Traffic Division is working on bringing more awareness for pedestrians and drivers. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'The pedestrian and driver should make eye contact and that's what the educational piece is,' Chief Logan added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
