John Awai Jr.
Elkridge,Utah
Summary
Accomplished law enforcement professional with extensive experience at Honolulu and Renton Police Departments, adept in community engagement and fluent in Spanish. Demonstrated leadership in high-stakes situations, enhancing community safety and fostering trust. Skilled in problem-solving and public speaking, with a track record of mentoring officers and reducing crime rates through strategic initiatives.
Skilled community relations professional with strong background in fostering connections and facilitating communication between diverse groups. Proven track record of driving impactful community initiatives and programs. Expertise in collaboration, conflict resolution, and public outreach. Known for adaptive problem-solving and results-driven approach.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Liaison
Project Be Free
07.2023 - Current
- Serve as a liaison between Hispanic/Spanish speaking community and local law enforcement agencies.
- Increased awareness of available programs and services through targeted outreach efforts, leading to higher participation rates.
- Receive and screen calls from domestic violence victims and connect them with appropriate resources, i.e. mental health therapists., court services.
- Promote organizational initiatives by presenting at community meetings and participating in local events.
Police Sergeant
Renton Police Department
08.2011 - 07.2023
- Served as mentor and role model to junior officers.
- Supervised crowds at busy events to prevent injuries and property destruction.
- Patrolled assigned areas to check homes, businesses, and public roads for signs of disturbance.
- Led shift briefings to inform officers of properties to check and individuals of note in local areas.
- Provided critical incident command during emergency situations, directing response efforts to protect public safety swiftly.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with community members.
- Motivated and trained squad members to become proficient with equipment and daily tasks.
- Conducted background checks for non-commissioned and commission job applicants.
- Supervised and coordinated daily operations of patrol shifts of up to eight officers.
- Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Managed personnel schedules, ensuring adequate coverage for shifts while minimizing overtime expenses.
Police Officer
Renton Police Department
03.1998 - 08.2011
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices, maintaining a high level of expertise within the field of law enforcement.
- Displayed sound judgment under pressure when making critical decisions that impact public safety during emergency situations.
- Utilized excellent communication skills when interacting with diverse populations, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community members they serve.
- Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Reduced criminal activity in assigned areas through proactive policing and community engagement.
- Effectively diffused potentially dangerous situations through verbal negotiation techniques before escalating force was necessary.
- Handled domestic disputes tactfully, de-escalating tensions while providing appropriate support to affected individuals.
- Field Training Officer for four years, training new recruits.
- Detective for three years with primary assignment of Fraud and ID Theft investigations.
- Due to Spanish language proficiency assisted in all types of crimes involving Spanish speaking victims, to include homicides, sexual assaults and robberies.
Police Officer
Honolulu Police Department
01.1991 - 02.1998
- Performed Patrol Officer duties and enforced local and state laws.
- Assigned to Narcotics/Vice Division for 5 years.
- Conducted long term narcotics investigations and also deputized as US Federal Agent in accordance with narcotics investigations.
- While assigned to Narcotics/Vice Division conducted marijuana farming investigations, aka, "Green Harvest".
- In accordance with the above stated assignment, certified as a Rappel Master to prepare helicopters for rappelling missions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Chadwick University
OnlineHigh School Diploma -
Kamehameha Schools
Honolulu, HI05-1983
Skills
- Community resource knowledge
- Community safety initiatives
- Public speaking events
- Criminal justice education
- Leadership skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Fluent speaking, reading and writing Spanish language
- Reliability
- Multitude of law enforcement training classes, to include background investigator training
Accomplishments
- Currently continue to strengthen trust between Spanish speaking community and law enforcement agencies.
- Able to introduce program to local police departments
- Achieved trust relationship between Renton Police Department and Spanish speaking community in the city through effectively working with business and community leaders.
- Collaborated with various non-profit Spanish speaking community organizations in the development of providing information to the community. This included basic information of civil rights, local and state laws, and how local law enforcement functions. This was accomplished by participating on local Spanish language radio shows and podcasts, conducting mini-police academy's, and patrol ride alongs with patrol officers.
Employee of the year (2003 and 2010). Received Meritorious Service Medal (2018)
Went above and beyond assigned duties. 2003 award was while a graveyard Field Training Officer due to consistent and constant training to multiple officers . 2010 award was for working with Spanish speaking community members, excelling in work product, i.e., most reports taken, etc. 2018 Meritorious Service Medal was for providing leadership to patrol squad and working with Spanish speaking community by conducting mini-police academy, and ride alongs for community leaders.
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Community Liaison
Project Be Free
07.2023 - Current
Police Sergeant
Renton Police Department
08.2011 - 07.2023
Police Officer
Renton Police Department
03.1998 - 08.2011
Police Officer
Honolulu Police Department
01.1991 - 02.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Chadwick University
High School Diploma -
Kamehameha Schools