Chief Moszkowicz: "It is important to remember that while the allegations against Officer Kaili are serious, they do not represent the hard work and dedication of the Hawai'i Police Department."

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Benjamin Moszkowicz is the Chief of Police for the Hawaii Police Department. | https://www.hawaiipolice.com/about-us/police-chief#:~:text=Police%20Chief%20Benjamin%20Moszkowicz&text=In%20addition%20to%20being%20a,driving%20through%20education%20and%20enforcement.

Hawai'i Police Department Officer Mark Kealoha Kaili Jr. was charged with first-degree burglary and third-degree assault on August 15, HPD reported.

"I am grateful to the investigators for their hard work in solving and charging this case," said HPD Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz. "It is important to remember that while the allegations against Officer Kaili are serious, they do not represent the hard work and dedication of the Hawai'i Police Department."

Hawai'i Police Department Officer Mark Kealoha Kaili Jr. was charged with first-degree burglary and third-degree assault by Hawai'i Island police detectives following an incident on August 15 in Ka'u. Kaili was arrested by detectives at his residence in Hawaiian Paradise Park on August 18.

According to HPD, Kaili, a 31-year-old Puna Patrol officer, had served the Hawai'i Police Department for just over two years before his arrest on Friday. Kaili's arrest follows an incident on the morning of August 15 at a residence in Naalehu. Two masked men reportedly entered a 20-year-old's residence and assaulted him and his grandfather who attempted to intervene. During the altercation, the victim's grandfather was able to unmask one of the suspects, who was later identified as Kaili who was off-duty at the time.

The second suspect was later identified as 27-year-old Cody Kuaili’aimoku Kanahele who is the cousin of the victim, authorities report. Kanahele was arrested shortly after the incident and was charged with first-degree burglary and third-degree assault.

"As with all criminal defendants, it is important to remember that Kanahele and Kaili are considered innocent until proven guilty," said Chief Moszkowicz. "We take all allegations of misconduct by department employees seriously and I look forward to a thorough timely investigation to determine what happened in this incident."

Kanahele has posted bail and was released from police custody. Kaili is currently being held on $6,000 bail. According to HPD, if he does not post bail, he will make an appearance in Hilo District Court Monday afternoon, August 21. Kaili has been placed on leave without pay pending the outcome of the separate criminal and internal investigations.