Maui police chief to seek reinstatement at Nov. 18 commission meeting
John Pelletier plans to request a return to duty after a month on paid leave, citing a lack of clear grounds for his suspension.
By Samuel Hayes ·
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier intends to formally request reinstatement from the Maui Police Commission in one month. He has been on paid leave since Oct. 7, a period during which he was stripped of his police powers. His attorney, Eric Seitz, stated that Pelletier wishes to return to his post immediately.
Seitz indicated that the legal team chose to pursue administrative reinstatement rather than filing a lawsuit. The attorney explained that the commission took action without meeting with Pelletier to present specific grounds for the move. Seitz argued that there was no apparent legal or factual basis for suspending the chief.
"We were prepared to sue them, but we’ve withheld any further action pending an opportunity to meet with the police commission," Seitz said. He added that Pelletier and his family are distressed by the process, noting that they are unaware of the specific reasons for the suspension.
Seitz suggested that political animosity between Pelletier and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen influenced the commission's decision. While Pelletier believes Bissen pressured the body, the mayor has strongly denied the claim. Seitz described a history of tension between the chief and certain county leadership figures that manifested in the suspension vote.
The original suspension vote on Oct. 7 followed an independent investigation into Pelletier's oversight of the Criminal Intelligence Unit. The unit's commander is currently accused of accepting bribes. Colleen Uechi, editor of the Hawaii Journalism Initiative on Maui, noted that the upcoming meeting will be Pelletier's first chance to address the commissioners directly, as he was absent during the initial vote.
The suspension occurred less than a month before the general election. Pelletier later accused Bissen of being under criminal investigation, a claim the county prosecuting attorney said was untrue. Bissen won reelection over Yuki Lei Sugimura. Uechi suggested that the timing of these events limited the political fallout, as there was little time to debate the issues before voters cast their ballots.
The Maui Police Commission is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Nov. 18, where Pelletier is expected to present his case for reinstatement.
