Ka‘ū Patrol Officer Paul Wright III was honored as the district’s first-ever "Officer of the Quarter" last week for his hard work and strong ties to the community. With over 10 years of law enforcement experience, Officer Wright has served Ka‘ū since 2022. Though he lives in Hilo, he has deep roots in the area. He was especially recognized for helping catch a fugitive who had been on the run for six years, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Acting Captain Pernell Hanoa, with a seasoned perspective from two decades in law enforcement, remarked on Wright's exceptional dedication: “He is a dependable and extremely capable officer,” and went on to note, “In my 20 years of law enforcement, I have not seen many officers as dedicated and/or committed to serving his/her community as Officer Wright. He shows up to work each day with a goal and will do his utmost to accomplish what he has set out to do,” as per a statement obtained by the Hawaii Police Department.
The ceremony held at an Ocean View restaurant last Friday was not just about accolades; it also served as a platform for Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz to acknowledge Wright's upcoming promotion and contributions, his progression not just a testament to his past actions but signaling a future where he's geared to impact the next generation of officers in his new role within the Training Section scheduled to commence May 16 this year, as reported by the Hawaii Police Department.
Detective Donovan Kohara and Sergeant Eric Ontiveros, who joined Officer Wright in a photo, praised his dedication and persistence. They said he’s the kind of officer any community would be lucky to have, especially for his efforts in tracking down dangerous individuals, as per the Hawaii Police Department.
