North Kohala patrol officer charged with domestic abuse

Hawai‘i Island police detectives charged a 28-year-old North Kohala patrol officer with abuse following a domestic dispute on Oct. 1 at a residence in ʻĀinaloa.

John Chiquita IV, who has served with the Hawai’i Police Department for 16 months, was charged Oct. 5 with a single-count of petty-misdemeanor abuse of a family or household member. His bail was set at $1,000.

On Oct. 4, a 28-year-old female reported to police that she and Chiquita were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical on Saturday afternoon. The woman was not injured during the altercation; however, she reported feeling pain. She did not require medical attention.
 
Chiquita and the woman were previously involved in a long-term relationship, and have several children together. 

Detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section were assigned to the investigation and arrested Chiquita at a Puna residence.
 
Chiquita was hired as a police recruit with the Hawai‘i Island Police on June 1, 2021, and was assigned to a solo patrol assignment in the North Kohala district on April 16, 2022. He is currently within the standard initial 18-month new hire probationary period.

He has been placed on leave without pay pending completion of an Administrative investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards.
 
The Hawai’i Island Police maintains a proactive approach to domestic violence by department members, with an emphasis on zero tolerance.