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Lawsuit Claims Honolulu Police Arrest Sober Individuals Under Suspicion of DUI

Honolulu police officers reportedly face a legal challenge due to their alleged practice of arresting sober drivers excessively as part of an overemphasis on apprehending drunk drivers. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has initiated a lawsuit over this issue.

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Honolulu police officers are being accused by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii of...
Honolulu police officers are being accused by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii of excessive focus on arresting sober drivers while disregarding actual drunk-driving offenses. The lawsuit claims that this practice is unjust and infringes upon the civil rights of sober drivers.

Lawsuit Claims Honolulu Police Arrest Sober Individuals Under Suspicion of DUI

HONOLULU— In a move sparked by allegations of overzealous DUI enforcement, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has announced a review of over 127 suspected DUI arrests made between 2022 and 2024. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (ACLU) filed a lawsuit Thursday, claiming that officers have been arresting sober drivers in a misplaced focus on making DUI arrests.

According to the lawsuit, scores of drivers—some being tourists—have been detained, with no discernible signs of impairment and passing field sobriety tests. In several instances, their breath tests showed no alcohol, and no drugs were found in their system. The ACLU argues that the department's singular focus on DUI arrests has led to their officers taking shortcuts during investigations, making arrests without probable cause, and manipulating the system.

The lawsuit also suggests that the HPD prioritizes DUI enforcement to secure federal funding and meet quotas, potentially resulting in officers arresting innocent people. Supervisors have reportedly incentivized officers, offering benefits like night shift release and full pay for a DUI arrest, enticing them to meet such quotas.

In response, the department said it takes the allegations seriously and has initiated a comprehensive review of all impaired driving arrests dating back to 2021. Three plaintiffs, who had tested with a BAC of 0.000, will also undergo an internal investigation. The class-action lawsuit seeks a court declaration that the HPD's practices are unlawful and unconstitutional, without requesting monetary damages.

An example of a wrongfully arrested individual was Tanner Pangan, a high school senior last year, who was arrested after his truck fishtailed on a rain-slicked road. Despite having no history of drug or alcohol use, Pangan was charged.

The ACLU became aware of the issue via an investigation by Hawaii News Now reporter Lynn Kawano. The lawsuit represents hundreds of other drivers who, like the plaintiffs, were arrested despite showing no signs of impairment.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that the time period under consideration for police arrests was from 2022 through 2024, not 2002 through 2024.

Based on original reporting by the Associated Press

  1. The weather in Seattle is expected to be affected by the extreme heat forecasters have warned about, potentially causing traffic disruptions due to heat-related issues.
  2. Despite the ongoing review of DUI arrests in Seattle following allegations of overzealous enforcement, it's essential for the Seattle Police Department to prioritize general-news coverage, including crime-and-justice issues, such as the father and daughter involved in a fatal car crash during a driving lesson.
  3. The ongoing controversy over alleged DUI enforcement abuses in Seattle, highlighted by the American Civil Liberties Union, coincides with President Obama's Secret Service agents facing suspension following an altercation near his home, sparking further political discussions about law enforcement accountability.

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