Maui Officer Reassigned After Alleged Assault on Handcuffed Suspect

KIHEI, Hawaii — A Maui police officer has been reassigned following an incident on Halloween where he allegedly struck a handcuffed suspect, sparking concerns over police conduct. The event, which occurred around 11 p.m. in Kihei, was captured on video, appearing to show the officer throwing the suspect into a police vehicle and hitting him in the head.

The incident began when the suspect reportedly rammed a vehicle into multiple police cars on two occasions. Authorities were attempting to take the suspect into custody due to three active no-bail warrants. The Maui Police Department (MPD) confirmed that the video is under investigation.

On November 1, the MPD announced it opened both a criminal and internal investigation into the incident. As per police protocol, the officer involved has been placed on administrative duty while the investigations are ongoing. The handcuffed suspect is facing multiple charges related to violent crimes.

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier emphasized the department’s commitment to transparency, stating that the incident was addressed immediately and that all proper procedures will be followed. He affirmed the importance of due process as the investigations unfold.

The MPD continues to monitor the situation closely as new developments arise.