MEDIA RELEASE

Aloha Exchange board member Curtis Chong presents an ‘Officer of the Month’ award to Officer Mark Arnold.

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi recognized Officer Mark Arnold on Thursday (May 28) as the East Hawaiʻi “Officer of the Month” for May.

Arnold, a 16-year veteran assigned to the South Hilo District, was honored for his investigation of a convicted felon who was being sought for reckless endangering, driving stolen vehicles and violating terms of release on bail in a terroristic threatening case.

On January 23, Officer Arnold was assigned to a special enforcement unit assembled to locate the man. The suspect was arrested on Kīlauea Avenue on January 26 after a foot chase in Panaʻewa. Arnold took the lead in the investigation, built a rapport with the suspect and developed enough evidence to charge him with eight felonies and eight misdemeanors, including some offenses that went before a Grand Jury. The offenses involved multiple victims spanning several districts on the island.

“Officer Arnold showed the poise, knowledge and experience of the seasoned veteran that he is, while still crediting the rest of the unit’s members for their assistance,” said Sergeant James Correa in nomination papers. “Officer Arnold’s dedication to community was first and foremost in these investigations.”

As “Officer of the Month,” Arnold is eligible for “Officer of the Year.”

The East Hawaiʻi “Officer of the Month” award is a project of the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi.