Sergeant Toledo Named ‘Kohala Officer of the Quarter’

Sergeant Richard Toledo has been named “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” for April to June by the Hawai’i Island Safety and Security Professionals Association.

The honor was given to the South Kohala supervisor on July 10. The 24-year veteran was recognized for actions he took to control a dangerous situation, avoiding the potential for serious injury to officers and citizens.

In response to a May 26 report of a behavioral disorder, officers arrived at a Waimea neighborhood. Upon arrival, officers observed a man in the roadway swinging an object. Officers attempted to reason with the man, who became agitated and confrontational. The man then made threats and pointed an object, believed to be a flare gun, at an officer. At that point the officers called for back-up and Sergeant Toledo, who was the on-duty supervisor headed to the scene immediately.

As officers awaited backup, the man got in possession of a 6-foot wooden staff and charged officers and their vehicles before walking to the roadway and yelling at a jogger who was passing the area.

Sergeant Toledo arrived on scene, exited his vehicle and tackled the man to the ground. The man was subdued, and despite resisting arrest, he was restrained and cuffed.

Officers were able to confirm that the man had a loaded flare gun and arrested him for resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, carrying a deadly weapon, promoting a detrimental drug, and two counts of terroristic threatening.

“The decisive actions of Sergeant Toledo prevented a potential deadly encounter or serious injury to those involved, as he swiftly brought the situation under control, also preventing injury to the suspect,” said Lieutenant Juergen Canda, who nominated Toledo for the award. “This outstanding accomplishment of Sergeant Richard Toledo is indicative of his experience and capabilities, and reflect credit upon himself and the Hawai’i Police Department.”

The “Kohala Officer of the Quarter” program is conducted by the Hawai’i Island Safety and Security Professionals Association, an organization comprised of hotel and airport security managers and visitor industry professionals.