Officer of the Month: Andrew Springer

The Hawai‘i Island Police Department announced that Officer Andrew Springer has been selected as the Aloha Exchange Clubs Officer of the Month of May 2018. Officer Springer, a 4-year member of the force, was recommended based on his dedication to duty and a proactive approach to patrol.

Officer Andrew Springer was named Officer of the Month for May 2018. PC: HPD

On May 17, officers responded to a suspicious person report on Kalaoa Camp Road in Pāpaʻikou. Eddie Poai was identified as the suspicious person. Poai had four outstanding warrants and numerous open All Point Bulletins.

Officer Springer with the assistance of another officer headed up Kaieie Road to make checks for Poai. While on Kaieie Road, Officer Springer observed Poai getting into a blue PT Cruiser as a passenger, seeing this Springer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The PT Cruiser refused to stop and reversed up Kaieie Road. The PT Cruiser finally stopped after approximately one mile and as Officer Springer passed it to get behind it, the PT Cruiser unexpectedly pulled forward to flee but got stuck in a two-foot ditch on the side of the road. Officer Springer ordered the occupants out of the PT Cruiser and was able to arrest them without further incident.

Earlier the same morning and in the same area, Officer Springer had located a parked van and contacted the van’s driver. Both the van and driver were connected to a robbery where a firearm was allegedly brandished. Upon realizing this and while speaking to the driver he was able to get the driver’s consent to look into the van. Springer then observed a rifle. The driver was subsequently arrested, and the van recovered as evidence, so a search warrant could be obtained to recover the rifle. The driver was later charged with felony offenses.

During one shift of work, Officer Springer was able to arrest two individuals associated with numerous crimes and take a weapon off the streets.

Officer Springer has a very calm, subdued demeanor which he uses to his benefit and is widely respected amongst his peers. Officer Springer embodies the Hawai‘i Police Department core values of integrity, professionalism, compassion, teamwork and community satisfaction.