Civil Beat Categories

Police Accountability

Jury Awards More Than $2 Million To Family Of Disabled Man Killed By Deputy Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Jury Awards More Than $2 Million To Family Of Disabled Man Killed By Deputy

Attorneys for former deputy Gregory Bergman suggested he acted in self defense. The family of Delmar Espejo, who was homeless and disabled, said that was impossible.

Hawaii Sheriff Division Faces New Scrutiny In 2019 Capitol Shooting Trial Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaii Sheriff Division Faces New Scrutiny In 2019 Capitol Shooting Trial

The family of the disabled man who was killed filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state and a former deputy sheriff.

Huge Gaps Persist In Details About Police Support For Westside Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Huge Gaps Persist In Details About Police Support For Westside

The Honolulu Police Department has declined to share basic information about crime fighting resources in the area.

Audit Calls Honolulu Police Commission’s Oversight ‘Inconsistent And Ineffective’ Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Audit Calls Honolulu Police Commission’s Oversight ‘Inconsistent And Ineffective’

The commission’s complaint review process was the focus of criticism in the audit, including concerns about the use of body cameras.

The Honolulu Police Chief Just Got A Good Job Review But Many Employees Think Otherwise David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

The Honolulu Police Chief Just Got A Good Job Review But Many Employees Think Otherwise

The “disconnect” between the police commission and police employees has raised concerns from the police union to the mayor.

HPD Releases Body Camera Footage In Only A Fraction Of Deadly Encounters Cory Lum/Civil Beat

HPD Releases Body Camera Footage In Only A Fraction Of Deadly Encounters

Body cameras are supposed to help hold police accountable, but many officers involved in critical incidents are part of specialized units that are exempt from wearing the devices.

Authorities Believe They Finally Figured Out Who Murdered Dana Ireland 30 Years Ago. Then He Killed Himself Screenshot: Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Authorities Believe They Finally Figured Out Who Murdered Dana Ireland 30 Years Ago. Then He Killed Himself

Attorneys for two brothers wrongly convicted in the case say Big Island police mishandled the recent investigation into the new suspect.

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule

Judges in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rule three Honolulu police officers who arrested an elementary school student in 2020 are not entitled to qualified immunity on an excessive force claim.

Fourth Deputy Sheriff Arrested On A Harassment Charge Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019

Fourth Deputy Sheriff Arrested On A Harassment Charge

All four have been suspended with pay after being accused of mistreating a sheriff’s deputy trainee.