Kauai Police Chief Receives 3-Day Suspension for Leaving His Gun in the Bathroom

The Kauai Police Commission voted Friday to suspend Chief Todd Raybuck for three days without pay for leaving his department-issued Glock unguarded in a police station restroom in March.

The decision comes just a week after Raybuck’s announcement. plans to retire He expressed his desire to prioritize his health and well-being and spend time with his family in the coming year.

Commissioners also reviewed two complaints filed against the chief by employees who claimed the chief retaliated against them for finding his unattended gun on March 4. The commission said it did not find sufficient evidence to justify the complaints and took no action against the chief.

Raybuck he said in a statement The outcome of the investigation confirms that he did not retaliate against his employees for the gun incident. in April it admitted to leaving his firearm unattended and took responsibility for his actions.

“It would be ludicrous for me to retaliate against my employees for an incident that I promptly reported to the police commission before any complaints were filed against me,” he said in a statement released Friday.

He also wrote that he accepted the three-day suspension given by the commission.

“I learned some of my most valuable lessons in life from my mistakes,” the statement said. “I hope others have learned from my experience the importance of properly securing firearms.”

Raybuck, who previously worked in Las Vegas, added that media coverage of the issue was difficult for his family and was the main reason he decided to retire.

“I am aware that public scrutiny is part of being a public servant,” the statement said. “But it is not fair that my family continues to bear the emotional burden of people attacking my reputation and making false allegations against me. “For this reason alone, I decided to retire from the police force.”

Raybuck has faced other problems since arriving on Kauai in 2019. suspended without pay over five days in April 2021 after a Kauai County Human Resources Department investigation found he violated the discrimination policy with his remarks about Japanese people. Later I apologized for the comments. In a statement posted on YouTube.

The commission also formed two subgroups to discuss recommendations for hiring an interim chief and a new chief. Groups will also be allowed to meet outside of regular commission meetings held once a month.

Spokesperson Kim Tamaoka said the chief does not have a severance agreement with the district.

Raybuck said he will retire next year but did not give an exact date.

“I will continue to provide the necessary leadership and support for the remainder of my time at the Department,” he wrote.