MEDIA RELEASE

Officer Brian Souki

Puna Patrol Officer Brian Souki was named the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s 2016 “Top Cop” by the Law Enforcement & Security Coalition of Hawaiʻi.

Captain Samuel Jelsma, who nominated Souki for the award, described the 11-year veteran officer as “street smart,” dependable, hard-working and diligent. “His work ethic is infectious and he serves as a motivator and example to those who work alongside him on his patrol watch,” Jelsma wrote in nomination papers.

Jelsma cited four cases as examples of Souki’s outstanding performance.

• The recovery of a stolen car.
• The arrest of one person and identification of five other suspects for a burglary.
• The arrest of a fugitive in a stolen car and in possession of illegal drugs.
• The foot pursuit of a suspect and his subsequent arrest for theft, felony assault and three drug offenses.

In one of the highlighted case, Officer Souki observed a vehicle being abandoned in the Ainaloa subdivision with the occupant leaving in another vehicle. He noted the license plate of the vehicle leaving, and then conducted checks on the vehicle that remained. That vehicle was discovered to have been stolen in a burglary the night before, along with firearms and two other vehicles. After additional officers arrived to secure the abandoned vehicle, Officer Souki conducted a search for the second vehicle. He located it and arrested two male suspects. Drugs and a stolen firearm were later recovered from that vehicle.

Souki’s award was presented Thursday (October 20) at the Hawaiʻi Prince Hotel Waikiki during the 32nd Annual Top Cop Law Enforcement and Security Awards Banquet.