The Honolulu Police Department said Tuesday it is looking into a possible violation of department standards by a high-ranking officer after a controversy surfaced about his promotion.

When HPD Chief Louis Kealoha announced Maj. Ryan Borges’ promotion to assistant chief Feb. 3, the move drew criticism because Borges was convicted in a domestic violence incident in 1994.

After Kealoha announced the promotion, Borges sent letters seeking character references and support for his promotion.

State Sen. Will Espero then questioned whether the letter was a violation of the department’s standards of conduct, which says officers shall not seek outside influence for personal preferment, a term more commonly known as promotion.

Deputy Chief Marie McCauley said in a statement Tuesday that “at this time it appears that the letter from Maj. Borges was sent out after the decision to promote him had been made.”

“If that is the case,” she continued, “the departmental standard that prohibits (seeking to influence) personal preferment would not apply.”

However, she said the department’s Professional Standards Office has opened an inquiry into the letter and its distribution to “ensure that the standard and other departmental procedures were followed.” An inquiry is similar to a preliminary investigation, an HPD spokeswoman said.

Borges was selected from a pool of six candidates by the chief’s panel, which consists of the chief and his two deputies. His promotion is effective Feb. 28.

Espero (D, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point), however, would like to see the promotion withdrawn.

He said the letter, which is addressed to “Brothers and Sisters in Christ,” is unbecoming of an officer in a high management position because in it Borges called Espero “the enemy” and Borges maintained that he was under “a spiritual attack.”

Espero said the letter is tantamount to an officer groveling for support and illustrates that Borges is not tolerant of criticism and has poor judgment and decision-making skills.

On Feb. 12, HPD posted letters received in response to Borges’ letter on its Facebook page.

Borges was convicted of second-degree terroristic threatening in 1994 after pleading guilty in a domestic incident involving his then-wife, according to state court records. He received one year’s probation. He later received a gubernatorial pardon.

Espero said he is concerned about Borges assuming a top-10 leadership position amid growing discontent he said he hears from officers about upper management.

Borges could not be reached for comment.

Honolulu Police Commission Chairman Ron Taketa said the commission cannot interfere with operational matters of the department, including promotions.

He said police departments as a whole are under greater scrutiny and that the commission collectively feels the chief is doing a good job, especially with keeping the commission apprised of any developments.