Kauai police chief returns to job

Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry is officially back in charge of the Police Department today.

Carvalho Jr. placed Perry on leave last month following an employee complaint of a hostile work environment at the Kauai Police Department. 

“Discussions among our adminstration, our legal team, the leadership of the police commission and the chief himself have helped us to arrive at this decision, where we are confident that the chief can provide the leadership for this organization while the investigation into an employee complaint is conducted with integrity to its conclusion,” said Carvalho in a news release.

Perry thanked the police commission and the public for their support and said he “looked forward to continued collaboration with the commission and the mayor.”

But Perry noted that it is important that the lines of authority be clarified for future police chiefs, commissioners and mayors.

Carvalho said he still “firmly” believes that he has the authority to put the chief on leave. 

“I also believe that through discussion with the commission we have reached a place of consensus on how the Department should be managed beginning today,” he said.

Perry, the Police Commission and Carvalho clashed over whether the mayor or the commission has the authority to put him on leave and reinstate him.

Perry tried to return to work last month, but the mayor barred him from entering his office.