Officer Cabatu Named May ‘Officer of the Month’

Aloha Exchange Club member Joey Estrella presents an ‘Officer of the Month’ award to Officer Jared Cabatu. HPD photo.

Officer Jared Cabatu was recognized by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai’i as May’s East Hawai’i “Officer of the Month.”

The honor highlighted Officer Cabatu’s outstanding accomplishment in patrol operations that led to the recovery of a stolen federal vehicle.

Three pickup trucks were stolen from the University of Hawai’i’s Institute of Astronomy on April 26.

Officer Cabatu worked in the days that followed to solve the case. In the process, he learned that a vehicle matching the description of the one stolen was seen in the upper Hilo area.

Following the lead, he located the vehicle in the Waiakea Uka area and determined that the license plate had been stolen from another vehicle. As he attempted to contact the occupants, they fled.

Officer Cabatu immediately communicated information about the vehicle and the suspects to his fellow South Hilo Patrol officers, leading to the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of two men and a woman. As a result, detectives assigned to the case were able to develop additional leads and information.

Cabatu was previously named “Officer of the Month” In March 2013 and October 2015. As “Officer of the Month,” he is eligible for “Officer of the Year.”