13 Graduate with Maui Police Department’s 85th Recruit Class
Thirteen Maui police recruits were inducted into the Maui Police Department on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, during an oath and badge pinning ceremony at the King Kamehameha Golf Club in Waikapū.
Upon graduation, each will be assigned to a new district to begin four months of field training as the next phase in their careers as police officers.
The department’s Outstanding Recruit Award went to Officer Asti Merino for presenting the most consistent achievement in the areas of training, leadership, judgement, attitude and service to others. Merino also served as class president and was honored with the department’s Sensei Shinichi Suzuki Award for outstanding performance in Arrest and Defense Tactics.
Other awards included the following:
- Scholastic Achievement Award – Officer Keith Kircher: Presented to the most astute recruit for achieving and maintaining the highest academic grade point average. This included study in criminal law, first responder training, CPR, and motor vehicle accident investigations.
- Neil T. Endo Firearms Award – Officer Mousa Kawas: The award was presented to the most accurate marksman, achieving the highest score during firearms training to include the final written exam, physical shot gun, and a rifle course.
- M. Cecil “Rusty” Dickson Award for Physical Fitness – Officer Mousa Kawas: The award went to the most physically fit recruit, demonstrating overall superiority in arrest, defense and tactics as well as physical training.
- Best Notebook Award – Officer Kauanoe Mossman: For content, organization and completeness and neatness.
Members of the 85th Recruit class included: Emmanuel Bello Jr.; Jameson Callo; Tazminey Cremer; Mousa Kawas; Keith Kircher; Steven Landsiedel; Sanders Leon; Charles-Blase Masuda; Asti Merino; Kauanoe Mossman; Cameron Sakai; Victoria Van Duzer; and Jonathan Young.