Cop gear gets stolen from a cop's car

[adrian]

Honolulu police are asking the public for information about a gun, police uniform, badge, radio, and gun belt that was stolen from an off-duty officer's car while he hiked to get gas in 'Ewa yesterday.

source (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Apr/20/br/br13p.html) w/ the complete article.

THERE WILL BE A CRIMINAL IN AN HPD UNIFORM...oh wait nevermind...

maybe instead of cops becoming criminals... the criminals are trying to become cops.

my apologies to the majority of HPD.

[Palolo Joe]

You would think he'd at least take his badge and service weapon... geez

:confused:

[Menehune Man]

This is quite the scary situation, though. I've heard some bad stories of guys impersonating police officers and what they've done. This guy has the real stuff. Watch out people! :eek:

[Palolo Joe]

Cops recovered the gun tonight on a beach in Waianae. A man and a woman were arrested at the scene.

Saw it on KHNL just now...

[Lei Liko]

Earlier tonight, KHNL mentioned that the badge belonged to T. Faumui. I wondered if it was THE Taase Faumui from UH Football. Turns out, it was, according to KHON.

[craigwatanabe]

WAS...you mean IS.

I think the next few days will be kinda interesting for speeding motorists when they don't pull over and when they finally do, they ask the cop for identification...Excuse me officer before you engage in your policing duties on me I'd like to see some identification to ensure that you are indeed officer Faumui. What no can? Well if you cannot prove you're officer Faumui then I'll assume that you aren't so I'll just go away while you figure that one out okay?

[kine1]

About a week ago here where I'm at in Indiana someone stole a gun, badge, radio, ect from a police car. About two days ago, the local newspaper said a couple of people were shot with the officers gun at one of the local parks. I'm writing this because these incidents happened so close together, and since I'm coming to oahu soon I was relieved to hear the weapon was found by the cops before someone got hurt. I'ts about time to make waterproof guns so the police can wear them in the shower if they have to. At least tougher policies on police keeping a better eye on their tools.

[tutusue]

It was reported that there was no breach of conduct on (off duty) Officer Faumui's part in leaving his uniform and equipment in his locked car when he ran out of gas...and I certainly don't/won't condemn him for doing so. But, it makes me wonder in today's age of technology, why anyone in his situation wouldn't either call for help on a cell phone or his police radio. This situation would make a good ad for AAA...especially AAA Plus! :D

[craigwatanabe]

Well...maybe there wasn't a decent enough cell signal where he was and maybe he can't use his radio for non-police calls.

I think HPD should re-evaluate the uniform and gun issue. Maybe the uniforms, guns and badges should be kept in employee lockers at the police precinct where they work, including the bubble gum dome light they use too.

Once off duty they have no justification to be carrying any of these articles.

[tutusue]

Well...maybe there wasn't a decent enough cell signal where he was and maybe he can't use his radio for non-police calls.

I think HPD should re-evaluate the uniform and gun issue. Maybe the uniforms, guns and badges should be kept in employee lockers at the police precinct where they work, including the bubble gum dome light they use too.

Once off duty they have no justification to be carrying any of these articles.
Gut hunch tells me cell reception shouldn't be an issue in 'Ewa but, who knows! Along the Waianae coast we lose reception a couple of miles before Yokohama Bay. And, the signal begins to weaken not too far into the various valleys. I'm sure there was a reason...maybe even not having a cell phone with him. I've inadvertently left mine at home before! :o And, I've run out of gas before, too! :o :o It's embarrassing to call AAA under that situation!

I agree, a review of the policy is needed and this much publicized situation might just be what it takes to set that review in motion.

[Glen Miyashiro]

Lee Cataluna, commenting on the police department's prompt and successful response to this case, wrote (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060425/COLUMNISTS02/604250336/1120/NEWS):

The take-away point is that now we know it is possible. It is possible to crack a car break-in case. It is possible to recover stolen items in a matter of days. It is possible to get the accused into court to answer charges less than a week after the crime is committed. Possible, but not probable, unless you're a high-priority victim with high-priority items stolen.Of course, it also probably helps when the stolen items are as distinctive as a cop's uniform and gun. It's not like you could fence the uniform without somebody knowing what it was. :rolleyes:

[Pomai]

Or, maybe this is a wake-up call that our officers really need a RAISE! $$$

Even HPD officers can't afford to top off their tank at the current $3.00-plus gasoline prices. :eek:

[lurkah]

"The deputy sheriff's gun, ID and uniform had been taken from the trunk of her car (http://starbulletin.com/2006/04/29/news/story07.html)"