Kauai police chief could face disciplinary action after losing his firearm a second time
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kauai’s chief of police could be facing disciplinary action after records reveal he lost his gun twice in the past two years.
According to a complaint filed with the Kauai Police Commission, Chief Todd Raybuck seems to be making a habit out of leaving his service weapon in the same stall of the same restroom.
A KPD police report obtained by HNN Investigates says Raybuck’s service weapon was turned into evidence on March 4 after an officer found it in the men’s restroom located in the Chief’s lobby.
The report says the Glock was loaded with a full magazine and one in the chamber.
A complaint submitted to the Kauai Police Commission went on to say the officer discovered it “in a holster wedged between the wall and the handicap assist bar.”
That same complaint alleges it’s not the first time it’s happened.
The complaint says approximately “a year or two ago” another officer noticed a lone firearm (no holster) sitting on the windowsill.
The record doesn’t note if the gun was loaded, but according to department policy “while on-duty semi-automatic pistols will be carried loaded with a round in the chamber.”
When HNN Investigates asked KPD if Raybuck could sit down with us for an interview to discuss the complaint a spokesperson said the chief had “not been notified that a complaint was filed.”
The email went on to say the restroom in question is not public but “an employee restroom that is located behind a secured entryway that requires key card access issued to department employees.”
It’s a claim the police union disputes, saying members of the public are frequently in the area.
“That is the entry point for people who may be coming down to be interviewed as a witness, to file a complaint against a police officer. They could be called in as a suspect or a person of interest,” said SHOPO spokesperson Dustin DeRollo.
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HNN Investigates asked DeRollo why the chief was never disciplined for losing his gun the first time.
DeRollo said, “The officer who found the gun did not file a report, nor did the Chief file a report stating that he lost control of his weapon.”
DeRollo confirmed a report was supposed to have been filed saying, “It’s a very serious infraction of KPD policy.”
The complaint dated March 27 was submitted to the Kauai Police Commission by former KPD Assistant Chief and SHOPO Business Agent Roy Asher.
In it, he states: “I bring this matter to your attention with the hope that appropriate and meaningful corrective measures can be taken” saying he was initially in “disbelief” when he found out the gun belonged to the Chief. “Then was appalled to learn that it was his second occurrence.”
Asher went on to say he was “very angered” when he found out the first incident was never addressed “by the Police Commission of anyone in authority.”
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“Keeping control of your firearm is a critical safety issue,” DeRollo said. “What happens to a stolen gun? Usually those weapons are used to commit crimes in our community.”
In an email, we asked Raybuck a list of questions including how something like this could happen twice.
A spokesperson responded, “The chief and the Department have no further comment at this time.”
The Kauai Police Commission is expected to discuss the complaint at its next meeting in executive session. If it moves forward an investigator will be assigned.
If it’s decided discipline is needed DeRollo said, “He could face a serious suspension and potentially termination.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Raybuck has gone through the disciplinary process.
Three years ago, he was suspended for five days without pay for allegedly making racist comments about Asian people.
At the time, Raybuck said he accepted responsibility for those comments and released a video apology which said in part, “In hindsight, I recognize that regardless of my intent, my words have caused people pain.”
HNN Investigates confirmed the chief’s gun is no longer in evidence, but it’s unclear if Raybuck got the weapon back.
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