KPD Honors 91st Recruit Class Graduates

Daniel Ball, Kyle Boehm, Tyler Chinen, Anthony “Kunane” Gayagas, Christian Kaui, Gaylan “Ulu” Matagiese, Shaun McClain and Anthony “Tony” Puglia are KPD’s 91st Recruit Class. Photo courtesy of KPD

The Kaua‘i Police Department held its 91^st Police Recruit Graduation ceremony on Jan. 2 at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, according to a news release from the County of Kaua‘i.

Officers Daniel Ball, Kyle Boehm, Tyler Chinen, Anthony “Kunane” Gayagas, Christian Kaui, Gaylan “Ulu” Matagiese, Shaun McClain and Anthony “Tony” Puglia were announced as the department’s 91^st Recruit Class in the company of their family, friends and colleagues.

Chief Todd Raybuck expressed many words of wisdom during the ceremony.

“As you now transition from recruit to police officer, remember the badge you receive today is not a symbol of unchecked power but one of a noble profession that requires honor, integrity and a commitment to serving and earning the public’s trust,” Raybuck said. “Maintain the highest degree of professionalism; treat others with respect and dignity even in the face of difficulty; be strong and courteous but do so with compassion.”

Raybuck, along with other special guest speakers, including Mayor Derek Kawakami, Kaua‘i County Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro and Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin, took the time to welcome the eight recruits to the KPD ‘ohana and wished them encouragement and luck in their careers.

Three special awards were presented during the ceremony. Ball received the Physical Fitness Award for demonstrating a high level of physical abilities on a consistent basis during training. McClain received the Marksmanship Award for his outstanding skill level in firearms proficiency and safe handling. Gayagas was honored as the Most Outstanding Recruit for excelling in all areas of the rigorous training while also building camaraderie in the group.

The keynote address was given by Pastor Thomas Iannucci and the class speaker was Gayagas, who shared a few brief remarks for his fellow graduates.

Sargeants Darla Nonaka, Todd Tanaka, Alan Santella and Len Nitta were also instrumental in hosting the ceremony, as well as being a part of the recruits’ six-month long training process.

The graduation concluded with the swearing-in of officers, followed by the ceremonial pinning of the badges.

The police recruit graduation ceremony is the culmination of six months of classroom and reality-based training. Following graduation, each police services officer was assigned a field training officer to shadow for the next four months. Upon successful completion of the 16-week program, they become full-fledged officers and are assigned to a district within the Patrol Services Bureau.

KPD has already welcomed the 92^nd Recruit Class and their training is underway but applications for prospective police officers are always being accepted.

For more information on becoming a Kaua‘i police officer, visit KPD’s website at www.kauai.gov/police or call 241-1686.