Thirty-seven Honolulu police officers were punished by the department in 2010 in connection with 40 incidents of breaking the law or department regulations, the highest number since 2003.

The number of officers punished internally represents only a small fraction of Honolulu’s 2,000 sworn police officers.

But it is the second straight year there has been a marked increase following the 10-year low of 14 officers disciplined in 2008. In 2009 the number was 26.

Two officers were discharged: One officer drank intoxicating beverages while on duty and made rude and derogatory remarks to two complainants, the report said. Another officer was discharged for firing a gun into the air without justification or authorization.

A third officer was suspended 626 days for hindering a federal investigation.

In 2009, one disciplined officer was discharged for "malicious use of physical force."

The chiefs of all four county police departments are required to submit reports detailing disciplinary action taken against officers in their departments for the previous year.

The identities of the officers are not made public, nor are the infractions detailed except for short, one-sentence descriptions.

Four Honolulu officers disciplined in 2010 were suspended 20 days for:

» Violating the juvenile transport policy.

» Physically abusing a live-in friend.

» Assaulting a spouse during an argument.

» Pleading guilty to criminal charges.

Six other officers were suspended one day each after pleading guilty to criminal charges, according to the report.

The Honolulu Police Department has come under fire in the several months following a series of news stories documenting charges filed against HPD officers for various infractions.

Prosecutors have charged seven officers in the Traffic Division’s Selective Enforcement Unit — which organizes roadblock checkpoints to catch motorists under the influence of alcohol and drugs — for falsifying overtime reports for the benefit of two sergeants. Those cases, all criminal misdemeanors, are scheduled to go to trial this month.

Meanwhile, five HPD officers were arrested for different offenses and unrelated cases ranging from spouse abuse to shoplifting from September to early December.

Because none of those cases has been resolved, they are not included in the 2010 disciplinary report.

The arrests prompted police Chief Louis Kealoha to hold a press conference, calling them unacceptable because they erode public confidence in the department. He urged officers to make good personal decisions that would not embarrass themselves, their families and the department.

Kealoha, HPD’s top officer since November 2009, declined to be interviewed for this story.

But in a prepared statement, Kealoha said the department takes complaints against its employees seriously.

"We are committed to pursuing all complaints and the department takes appropriate action when investigations are complete," Kealoha said. "The HPD is committed to upholding the integrity of the department and the trust of the community."