The Micronesian ambassador hopes the murder of Iremamber Sykap causes less violence – Honolulu, Hawaii

The Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United States says recent talks with Honolulu police after the shooting of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap will reduce violent conflicts with officials and lead to a deeper understanding of his people’s unique culture. I would like

Ambassador Achillino H. Susaia said the ministry’s efforts at a recent meeting with HPD and cultural vulnerability training, beginning with the Metropolitan Police Department’s recruitment course in August, were a step in the right direction, but a lot of work. Remains.

Justice will be served for attempted murder and attempted murder of three police officers who shot a stolen Sikapu car after a car chase from east Honolulu to Karakaua Avenue on April 5. I am cautiously optimistic.

“Whenever a person’s precious life is taken away by law enforcement, the entire community should worry,” Ssiah told the Honolulu Star Advertiser. “Obviously, the Micronesian community is no exception to concerns about the fatal shooting of unarmed civilians in the Federated States of Micronesia. We all have to worry as members of the community. Micronesia in Hawaii. I find this experience disappointing as the problem appears to be confined to the state of Hawaii and partly to the US territory of Guam.

“Of course there are bad apples in every community, but Hawaii’s experience is a little above average. Our government has contacted the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and has agreed to work together in the future. Our community was angry about the unarmed shots at Sykap, but we have to allow the system to take the path to solving this problem. This is how it is done in a democratic society. And the legitimate process of the law must follow that path. We need to have faith in this system and move forward so that these officials can spend time in court. “

The interim Honolulu police chief Rade K. Vanic did not respond to requests for comment on the ambassador’s views. Vanic met with the FSM Hawaii Mission and two other community leaders to promote recruiting and engagement activities and establish cultural awareness training.

HPD’s 2019 use of violence report covers more than a third of police-related violence in 2019 by Indigenous Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, who make up 25% of the population of Oahu. I made it clear that there is.

Eric A, an attorney who represents Sykap’s grandmother and mother. Seitz is in a civil case against police officers who shot the city, HPD and Sykap, and despite criminal allegations and repeated calls against police officers, the city is still giving prosecution or police report, video, emergency call or radio transmission. Submit a tape or ballistics report.

“The family has been repeatedly shot and killed without criminal charges, and brothers, sons and grandchildren blamed the victims or dismissed the case for involvement of the ‘bad guy’. I was encouraged to take it seriously. Others did. They expect the case to be handled fairly, objectively and successfully, ”said Seitz. “In my experience, cultural sensitivity is“ an unknown concept for HPD, especially nowadays. “