HONOLULU — Hawaii police union leaders on Thursday said a grand jury’s decision not to indict anyone in a shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy supports the officers’ actions.
Grand jurors Wednesday declined to indict three Honolulu police officers in the April shooting death of Iremamber Sykap. Police said the teen was driving a stolen Honda linked to an armed robbery, burglary, purse snatching and car theft and led officers on a chase. Medical records provided by an attorney representing Sykap’s family in a lawsuit show the teen was shot in the back of the head and shoulders.
The grand jury’s decision reinforces the officers’ decision-making and actions, Honolulu police Sgt. Malcolm Lutu, president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, said Thursday.
The officers involved learned about the grand jury’s decision through the news media and were relieved by the outcome, he said. The involved officers have not been identified.
“It’s not only hard on the victims that are involved, but it’s also hard on the officers and their families,” Lutu said.
He said Hawaii police forces are short-staffed while officers face increasing violence on the streets. He said some officers are moving to the mainland where the cost of living is lower.