HONOLULU — Cpl. Mark Kutsy, a 24-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department, is faced with an ultimatum he never expected during his law enforcement career. He must get vaccinated for COVID-19 or get fired after he was served with termination papers Tuesday for declining to comply with the city’s employee vaccine mandate.
Kutsy, 48, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that his command placed him on unpaid leave after serving him with Restriction of Police Authority and termination papers.
Kutsy previously served in the Marine Corps, which landed him in Hawaii where he embarked on his law enforcement career as well as another 16 years in the Hawaii Air National Guard. Suddenly, the officer is being forced to surrender his badge and firearm per department policy.
“I tried to serve my country and nation as best as possible and I just feel bad being done wrong right now. It’s just sad that it’s come to this,” said Kutsy. “I’m 48 years old. I literally gave half of my life to the department and to serving my community. And in the blink of an eye the chief of police and the mayor can do what they’ve done thus far and begin termination proceedings.”
The longtime police veteran had aspirations to retire next year with 25 years of service, the Star-Advertiser reported.
“Of course, I don’t want to get terminated. I’ve got too much to lose,” he said.
Kutsy has 10 working days to reply to the termination notice and said he has some hard choices to make while he considers what to do next.
Honolulu is the only county refusing to allow employees to be tested weekly in lieu of the vaccine, something he is willing to do.
About 296 HPD officers and civilian employees have applied for a religious or medical exemption, which is allowed under department policy.
According to Kutsy, he declined the vaccine based on his health and personal judgment. The police veteran said he has not been sick in six years or had the flu in two decades, which included working 100-plus hour weeks during the height of the pandemic’s initial wave on Oahu. He’s thankful he did not get sick enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, but finds it notable.
Furthermore, he also complied with all requirements while taking two trips to the mainland last year, the StarAdvertiser reported.
“I must be doing something right for me, to go through all those things and still being able to go to work every day,” said Kutsy, who joined HPD in 1997 two weeks after completing his USMC active duty commitment. “The risk of getting the vaccine is greater than not getting it at all, at this time, based on my personal health and judgment.”
Applying for a medical or religious exemption was suggested by some, but the man of integrity said no.
“Even though I am a Christian, I feel my own personal beliefs … I don’t feel I warrant a religious exemption,” he explained. “I could circumvent the system but I am trying to be true to myself.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told the Star-Advertiser in a statement that personnel matters are being vetted by the Department of Human Resources, and there are about 49 employees subject to unpaid leave and possible termination for failing to respond or comply with the city’s vaccination policy.
Kutsy reached out to the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers for help with Restriction of Police Authority and termination proceedings for declining the city’s vaccine mandate. He is the first officer to do so.
“We are aware of Cpl. Kutsy’s situation. SHOPO will assist him and he will go through the grievance process,” SHOPO President Malcolm Lutu said.
