ACLU files lawsuit against Honolulu police for arresting sober drivers
- The ACLU of Hawaii has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department over wrongful DUI arrests.
- The lawsuit highlights a troubling trend of officers arresting drivers without evidence of impairment, citing low blood-alcohol content levels.
- The case raises concerns about potential police practices that may prioritize arrest numbers over public safety, calling for an urgent review of their procedures.
In Hawaii, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a class-action lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department following allegations of wrongful arrests of sober drivers. This lawsuit was initiated due to claims that police officers arrested numerous drivers who displayed no signs of impairment, performed well on sobriety tests, and recorded a blood-alcohol content of 0.000. The investigation points to a troubling trend within the police department from 2022 to 2024, where 127 individuals were arrested for DUI, despite no evidence of intoxication. Only 15 of these individuals were issued traffic tickets, and merely three faced charges concerning the influence of drugs. The driving force behind these arrests is a purported focus by the Honolulu police to increase arrest numbers in a bid to secure federal funding and meet established quotas. This pressure may have led to shortcuts in procedures, with significant concern raised regarding officers conducting stops without reasonable suspicion or for minor infractions. The ACLU presented evidence suggesting a pattern where officers were particularly active at the end of each month, hinting at potential quota fulfillment. Instances were highlighted where multiple arrests were made within a short time frame, all of which produced breath tests indicating a blood-alcohol level of 0.000. One compelling case included Tanner Pangan, who, as a high school senior, was pulled over after his truck lost traction on a wet road. Pangan reported that he was astonished to be accused of impaired driving, as he does not consume alcohol or drugs. His experience forms part of the narrative that the ACLU leverages to portray the high stakes of the department's alleged practices. The lawsuit seeks to establish that the police's conduct is both unconstitutional and unlawful, but it does not aim for any financial compensation. The ongoing review of arrest procedures by the Honolulu Police Department signifies serious concern regarding their adherence to the principles of justice and public safety. The police department has publicly stated its commitment to uphold public trust and is prepared to take action if any misconduct is identified during the internal investigation of the plaintiffs' cases.