Officers for a day: Hawai‘i Island police host first Merit Scouts Police Tour Day in Kona

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Community Policing Section hosted the first Merit Scouts Police Tour Day earlier this month, providing Scouts, troop leaders and chaperones a unique opportunity to experience what it’s like to serve with the Big Island police force.

The Kealakehe Police Station on Oct. 9 welcomed 39 participants from the West Hawai‘i Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America who got to learn about the daily operations of Hawai‘i Police Department and meet the officers who serve their communities.

Participants toured several divisions within the station, including Patrol, Juvenile Aid Section, Traffic Enforcement Unit, Criminal Investigation Section and Vice Section, as well as the cell block and assistant chief’s office.

Scouts earned their fingerprint and detective merit badges through a hands-on presentation led by Criminal Investigation Section Evidence Specialists Mary Midkiff and Robyn Kainoa. The session covered the science of fingerprint collection and preservation, with Scouts practicing dusting and recovery techniques to lift prints from objects.

Each Scout created their own fingerprint card to take home as part of completing their badge requirements.

“It was really wonderful and surprising to see how intuitive the Scouts were,” said Midkiff in a Hawai‘i Police Department release about the special day. “They asked great questions, and we all had a fun time recovering fingerprints. I really look forward to next year’s event.”

Scouts also enjoyed a K-9 demonstration by Vice and Juvenile Aid Section officers, plus explored a marked police vehicle up close.

Merit Scouts Police Tour Day is part of the department’s ongoing community outreach efforts to build positive relationships with youth and encourage future interest in public service.