The Hawaiian Island Police Chief Kaua’i has a history of racist and discriminatory acts, a recent discrimination investigation revealed. The Kaua’i Police Commission’s investigation has found that Todd Raybuck, head of the Kaua’i Police Department, has violated anti-discrimination policies for several dubious actions, “Squeeze your eyes and bend your head up and down” and mimicking a Japanese accent while telling stories, reports the Garden island. The findings, written on February 26 by commission chairwoman Catherine Adams, also noted that Raybuck had created a hostile work environment for an officer based on race. The complaint, which was lodged with the commission in September 2020, was split into a human resource investigation into a promotional recruitment and selection process, and another by the commission focused on allegations of discrimination. While the director of human resources, Annette Anderson, found that the demands investigated in the investigation were not supported, the commission found in the investigation two incidents that violated the country’s anti – discrimination policy. In audio recordings of a meeting on July 29, 2020, Raybuck can be heard making broad stereotypes about Japanese, while explaining why an employee of Japanese descent was not selected for a promotion. ‘So, someone in Japanese culture, if they think your idea is absolutely stupid and the dumbest thing they’ve ever heard, what’s their typical reaction to you? “Yes and yes.” Raybuck said while allegedly squinting and bending. ‘That’s why Western businessmen go freaking out to Japan and they think’ Man, I got it! I got the deal! “and then it does not come through because the Japanese do not want to hurt their feelings,” Raybuck said. “Japanese businessmen are not going to, ‘this is the dumbest idea we’ve ever heard, and that’s not interested.’ The complainant said he felt “Very insulted and humiliated” by Raybuck’s actions. “I felt like he told me that as a reason I was not chosen because he believes all Japanese people do not tell you the truth,” he said. notice the complainant. In a separate incident on November 13, 2020, Raybuck allegedly told a story to his commanding staff about an Asian customer in a fast food restaurant while “Facial gestures and accents, and comments on an employee’s haircut as something from a Kung Fu movie.” The commission found that both incidents violated the country’s anti – discrimination policy is apparently reason for “Appropriate affirmative action.” The document did not disclose the details of the aforementioned affirmative action “Confidential staff matters.” It was only last year when Raybuck saw how he wanted to bridge gaps between police and minorities following George Floyd protests, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. At the time, he said he wanted his officials to enter into discussions with Kaua’i residents about institutional racism. Feature image via Hoike TV (left), County of Kaua’i (right)
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