New Honolulu Police Commission member Loretta Sheehan said Wednesday the panel should exert more effort in investigating controversies involving police officers as well as Police Chief Louis Kealoha, who is the subject of a federal investigation.

“The Police Commission right now could be having hearings and deciding whether the chief of police should continue to be our chief of police. And they could remove him right now,” Sheehan told City Council members when asked whether she supports proposed amendments to the City Charter that would give broader authority to the panel.

Her nomination was confirmed Wednesday, 8-1, with Councilman Trevor Ozawa voting no.

Under the Charter, “One of their duties is to evaluate the chief of police at least annually, so that means at any time … the commission is given the responsibility to evaluate the chief of police,” Sheehan said, adding that Kealoha is under investigation for allegedly manufacturing evidence and framing another person.

Sheehan said she has spoken to Commission Chairman Ron Taketa and understands that he does not want to interfere with a federal investigation. “But at a certain point … the commission, as a group, has to make a decision … to step forward and do their own investigation,” she said.

“I am deeply concerned,” Sheehan said. “It appears (Kealoha) has lost the public’s trust. It appears to me that he has mismanaged episodes of officer conduct in the recent past.”

After the meeting, Sheehan said that the commission should at least be having a public conversation about controversies involving the chief and involving police officers who break the law.

Taketa, reached by telephone, said, “We respect the federal process. … and the last thing we want to do is interfere with their investigation.

“When they do come up with a decision either way, then the commission will certainly take appropriate action necessary.”

Ozawa said he was not satisfied by Sheehan’s answers and that he had not been given an opportunity to meet with her individually. Sheehan did not show up for a scheduled meeting, which was “irresponsible,” he said.

Sheehan apologized.

“I reached out to her but for whatever reason, the meeting never occurred and I can’t support someone whose positions I don’t know well enough — especially considering that the issues surrounding the chief, the department and officers are of extreme importance,” Ozawa said in a statement.

Jesse Broder Van Dyke, spokesman for Mayor Kirk Caldwell, said that “numerous attempts were made to set up a meeting” between Ozawa and Sheehan.