28-year-old North Kohala patrol officer John Chiquita IV, who has been on the force for 16 months, was charged with abuse following a domestic dispute at a Ainaloa residence last weekend.

After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, detectives charged Chiquita with a single-count of petty-misdemeanor abuse of a family or household member. His bail was set at $1,000.

The charge stems from an incident where the 28-year-old victim reported that she and Chiquita were involved in a verbal argument which then turned physical. The victim was not injured during the altercation; however, she did report feeling pain but did not require medical attention.

Chiquita and the victim were previously involved in a long-term relationship, and have several children in common.

Detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section were assigned to the investigation and arrested Chiquita at a Puna residence Wednesday afternoon.

Chiquita was hired as a police recruit with the Hawai‘i Island Police on June 1, 2021, and was assigned to a solo patrol assignment in the North Kohala district on April 16, 2022. He is currently within the standard initial 18-month new hire probationary period. He has been placed on leave without pay pending completion of an Administrative investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards.

 

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