Hawai‘i police promote one officer to major, two to captain

Hawai’i Island Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz announced three promotions, one officer from the rank of captain to major, and two officers from lieutenant to captain.

Thomas Shopay III, a 23-year veteran of the department, is promoted to major and assigned to the Technical Services Division, responsible for overseeing the department’s Communications Dispatch Center, Communications Maintenance Section, Computer Center, Records and Identification Section and Traffic Services Section.

Shopay III most recently served as captain of the Area II (Kona) Criminal Investigation Division. Prior to that, Shopay served as Lieutenant of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Lieutenant of Kona Patrol, Lieutenant and Sergeant of the Special Response Team, Area II Vice Section, and Kona Patrol.

Shopay graduated in Sept. 2014 from the prestigious FBI National Academy, a 10-week program of professional study and physical training for U.S. and international law enforcement managers. In August 2012, he received the department’s second-highest honor, the Silver Medal of Valor, for risking his personal safety barricading explosive ordinance found near an electric plant.

Tuckloy Aurello, a 20-year veteran of the department, is promoted to captain and assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Internal Affairs. Aurello most recently served as lieutenant of the Records and Identification Section. He previously served as lieutenant of Hilo Patrol, detective in Area I Juvenile Aid Section, detective in Area I Criminal Investigation Section, sergeant in Accreditation, Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit, Field Training Officer, as well as serving in Patrol in the Puna and Kona districts.

Aurello received the Officer of the Month award from the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i in July 2006 for his work investigating a burglary in a Kea‘au subdivision. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in June 2022.

Brian Prudencio, a 23-year veteran of the department is promoted to captain and assigned to the Area II Criminal Investigation Division, overseeing Area II Vice, Juvenile Aid, and Criminal Investigation Sections. He most recently served as lieutenant of Accreditation. Prior to that, Prudencio served as a detective in the Office of Professional Standards, detective in Area I Juvenile Aid Section, detective in Area II Vice, Police Officer III with Area I Vice, Field Training Officer, Police Officer II in South Hilo Patrol, Ka‘ū Patrol and Puna Patrol.

In 2008, Prudencio received the Officer of the Year award by the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Officials Association. That same year he was also named Officer of the Year by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i for his work as a vice officer on the Ice Task Force. He was also named Officer of the Month for July and August 2007 for his work as a vice officer.