Kauai Police Commission votes to initiate disciplinary proceedings after chief loses gun

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Kauai Police Commission has voted to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Chief Todd Raybuck after an investigation alleged he lost his service weapon.

On March 4, records reveal Raybuck left his loaded Glock wedged between the wall and a handicap assist bar inside a KPD bathroom stall. An officer later found it and turned it into evidence.

The restroom in question is located in the Chief’s lobby, which Raybuck has said is a secure area only accessible by an employee key card.

MORE: HNN Investigates

It’s a statement the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers adamantly disputed during an interview in April.

“They buzz you in. The door pops open. You walk in. That restroom is accessible to members of the public throughout the day, whether it be school children there for a visit. Delivery drivers, witnesses, people of interest, suspects. The restroom was not locked. It does not require a key card,” said SHOPO spokesperson Dustin DeRollo.

HNN Investigates confirmed the commission voted not to include the allegation Raybuck’s statement was “misleading” in its initiation of disciplinary proceedings based on the determination that the evidence did not support that claim.

These new developments are the latest in a lengthy string of problems at KPD — many involving Raybuck directly.

In 2021, the Chief was suspended five days without pay for alleged racist comments.

Then, earlier this year, two officers filed retaliation complaints against Raybuck in relation to the investigation of his lost gun.

In August, a survey ordered by the police commission revealed numerous departmental issues, including poor communication, lack of accountability, and distrust of leadership.

Raybuck has also missed nearly half of this year’s monthly police commission meetings.

“The commission is in fact the Chief’s boss,” said DeRollo. “So when you miss that meeting you’re missing a meeting with your boss.”

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Kauai police chief could face disciplinary action after losing his firearm a second time
• KPD chief acknowledges ‘serious nature’ of losing his department-issued gun
• Law enforcement union accuses embattled KPD chief of downplaying lost gun incident

HNN Investigates asked the Chief to sit down with us for an interview. Instead, he chose to answer our questions in an email.

Raybuck admits he missed four of this year’s nine police commission meetings, citing a work conference, vacation time and illness — adding the police commission was always notified in advance that he would be absent.

At Friday’s meeting, Raybuck said he was scheduled to provide commissioners with additional information regarding the department’s annual goals but couldn’t make it due to COVID.

It was a response that didn’t sit right with the union.

“This gets at something fundamental for a police officer. There’s a fundamental concept that we have, which is, if you’re called — you show up,” DeRollo said. “With the technology we have today. You know you can be anywhere in the world. So to not show up on these important issues. This department is in crisis. It’s in chaos, and steps need to be taken immediately to right this ship.”

As for what’s next, Raybuck will get an opportunity to respond to accusations the police commission’s investigation. Exactly when that will happen is unclear.

Meanwhile, the investigation into retaliation complaints made by two KPD officers against the Chief continues.

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