83rd Recruit Class Joins Ranks of Maui Police Department

July 21, 2016, 3:26 PM HST
* Updated July 22, 11:45 AM

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Thirteen Maui police recruits and three emergency services dispatch trainees were inducted into the Maui Police Department today during an oath and badge pinning ceremony at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului.

During the graduation ceremony Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa told the graduates that they are “charged with the responsibility of being a leader everyday.” He said in their new roles, they will be expected to be present and take control of situations by doing their best to rectify situations and make things right.

In her keynote address, US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard spoke of her role as a soldier and the recent loss of fellow Congressman Mark Takai, who served in the same unit as her during a past deployment.

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“We’re cut from the same cloth,” said Rep. Gabbard in reference to the sacrifice made by soldiers and officers who serve on the front lines. “It’s understood that your time can come at any moment,” she said.

She also spoke of the recent tragedies in Dallas and Baton Rouge saying, “It is up to us to do more than mourn their loss, but look towards understanding.” She congratulated the new members of the Maui Police Department who went through eight months of training to get to this point.

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.

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The department’s Outstanding Recruit Award went to Officer Korey Harris for presenting the most consistent achievement in the areas of training, leadership, judgement, attitude and service to others.

Other awards included the following:

Scholastic Achievement Award – Officer Timothy Zajac: 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. (2nd Place Korey Harris; 3rd Place Justin Reiner)
Neil T. Endo Firearms Award – Officer Thomas Hifo: 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. (2nd Place Justin Reiner; 3rd Place Timothy Zajac)
M. Cecil “Rusty” Dickson Award for Physical Fitness – Officer Aasin Torricer: The award went to the most physically fit recruit, demonstrating overall superiority in arrest, defense and tactics as well as physical training. (2nd Place Korey Harris; 3rd Place Randolph Gayoma)
Best Notebook Award – Officer Mary Rose Reiner: For content, organization and completeness and neatness. (2nd Place Korey Harris; Nicolai Ariga)
Sensei Shinichi Suzuki Award – Officer Korey Harris: For outstanding performance in Arrest and Defense Tactics. (2nd Place Justin Reiner; 3rd Place Timothy Zajac)

Members of the 83rd Recruit class included: Nicolai Ariga, Darrell Belen, Randolph Gayoma, Korey Harris, Thomas Hifo, Jarret Jakubczak, Justin Reiner, Mary Rose Reiner, Shay Rosete, Noel Talaroc Jr., Jake Torres, Aasin Torricer and Timothy Zajac.

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Maui’s newest Emergency Services Dispatchers include: Stacey Keomaka, Johnel Lozano and Reane Gonzales-Tavares.

Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa speaking at the Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Korey Harris receiving the Sensei Shinichi Suzuki Arrest Defense Tactics Award. Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Thomas Hifo receiving the Neil T Endo Firearms Award. Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Mary Rose Reiner receiving the Best Notebook Award. Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Timothy Zajac receiving the Scholastic Achievement Award. Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Korey Harris receiving the Outstanding Recruit Award. Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard delivering the keynote address at the Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Reane Gonzales-Tavares (emergency services dispatcher graduate) at the Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Johnel Lozano (emergency services dispatcher graduate) at the Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Stacey Keomaka (emergency services dispatcher graduate) at the Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Stacey Keomaka, Johnel Lozano and Reane Gonzales-Tavares (emergency services dispatcher graduates) at the Maui Police Department 83rd Recruit Class and Emergency Services Dispatchers Graduation. Photo by Wendy Osher.