The Hawaii Police Department has issued the following press release:
For his outstanding proactive approach to community policing and dedication to duty, Officer Matthew Lewis, a 13-year veteran of Hawai‘i Police Department, was recognized Tuesday, April 20 by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai‘i as Officer of the Month for January 2021.
Every month the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club honors a police officer in East Hawaii as their officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the various police districts and a monthly winner is selected. Winners are normally honored at the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club’s monthly meeting, however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, no meetings have been held since March 2020. Members of the Club recently met with Officer Lewis on Tuesday, April 20 at the Hilo Police Station to present him with the award.
Among the achievements Officer Lewis was recognized for include the coordination and planning of a four day multi-agency warrant sweep of the downtown Hilo area. The warrant sweep resulted in 10 arrests, several stolen items recovered, and more than 150 citations issued. A large amount of trash and abandoned property was also removed and several nuisance problems identified along Hilo Bayfront and soccer fields.
Officer Lewis was also honored for his resourcefulness in investigating and pursuing agricultural thefts. In one situation, he met with farmers at a Hilo area farm to discuss theft prevention tips. Upon leaving the meeting, he encountered a car parked on the side of the road with produce that appeared to be stolen from the farm he had just left. Using many different techniques during his investigation, Officer Lewis was able to link the driver and a second person to that theft, as well as tie other evidence linking the suspects to additional felony and federal crimes.
All officers selected for Officer of the Month are eligible to be selected as the East Hawaii Aloha Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year.