Honolulu Police Department releases body camera footage in only a fraction of deadly encounters

In 2018, the Honolulu Police Department for the first time released body camera footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting. But since then, it’s been a rarity, with HPD sharing footage in just three of 22 deadly incidents.

In some instances, the department released surveillance video or footage from other sources when body camera footage wasn’t available. And in the case of the shooting of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap in 2021, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office released body camera footage after a judge ordered it. In other cases, it wasn’t clear whether the media or public requested the footage.

But in many cases, body camera footage wasn’t available because the officers involved in the incident were part of specialized units exempt from wearing the devices. In a few recent instances, the department has declined to release video, citing ongoing investigations.

HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu said in a statement that videos are released upon request unless it would “hamper the investigation or jeopardize successful conferral and acceptance of the case for prosecution.”

She also said the department is considering whether it should start issuing cameras to officers who are now exempt, such as plainclothes officers in the Crime Reduction Unit, which performs special assignments aimed at community problems and crime.

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