Kona Officer Recognized for DUI Enforcement Efforts

Police Officer Nicholas McDaniel has been named January’s “Officer of the Month” in Kona.

McDaniel was honored for leading the Kona District in the number of arrests of impaired drivers in 2013.

In his nomination papers, Sgt. Grad Elarionoff said McDaniel motivated his co-workers and also personally made 10% of the DUI arrests for the entire Kona District.

He also didn’t limit his observations to drivers under the influence of alcohol. While working a DUI roadblock in September, McDaniel spotted methamphetamine in two separate vehicles, resulting in the arrests of three individuals and the seizure of meth and drug paraphernalia as well as a shotgun and ammunition.

Elarionoff pointed out that islandwide fatalities were down significantly in 2013, as were fatalities involving drugs, alcohol or both.

While he acknowledged there is no way to directly link the improved statistics to McDaniel’s efforts, “we all can agree that without enforcement, these lowered statistical numbers would increase.”

McDaniel, who now becomes eligible for “Officer of the Year,” was presented the honor by the Kona Crime Prevention Bureau at a luncheon ceremony today at Huggo’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona.