24 apply to be Honolulu Police Department chief, but names not made public

Twenty-four people applied to serve as Honolulu’s 12th police chief but the process is delayed by 30 days because not enough people applied to serve as the consultant to assist the Honolulu Police Commission.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser requested a list of the 24 applicants, 12 of whom are Hawaii residents, but the police commission declined, citing respect for the integrity of the hiring process and to protect the candidates.

Police Commission executive officer James K.S. Yuen said during Wednesday’s meeting that the city Department of Human Resources is reviewing the list of applicants to ensure they meet the minimum qualifications. But the city Department of Human Resources does not have the list, according to Tim Sakahara, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s communications director.

The police commission did not reply to questions about the discrepancy and said during Wednesday’s meeting that commissioners would not have access to the list until a consultant selects the finalists.

The Star-Advertiser plans to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the police commission requesting the list of candidates for the taxpayer-funded position.

When a consultant is hired, the person will whittle down the list and it will be released to the public, commission Chairwoman Shannon L. Alivado said during the police commission’s meeting Wednesday.

“We know there will be requests for the names but we feel this process will ensure the integrity and protect not only the candidates but the objectivity of the process,” Alivado said. If a consultant is not hired, the commission will have to handle the entire hiring process.

“I don’t see any other way around it,” Alivado said Wednesday.

Honolulu’s charter leaves the responsibility of selecting and dismissing the police chief to the Honolulu Police Commission, a seven-­member panel appointed by the mayor

Capt. Thomas Taflinger confirmed to the Star-Advertiser that he applied for the department’s top job. Interim Chief Rade K. Vanic previously declined to comment on whether he was applying for the permanent position.

The confusion and clandestine nature of the process is at odds with public demand for more police transparency and the creation of a citizen advisory committee to aid in the search. Testifiers before the committee Wednesday continued to push for the creation of the committee.

“You guys, for some reason, believe the HPC is equivalent,” said Amaku Ukpong, who testified as a private citizen. “We and you are different. Our socioeconomic status, our racial backgrounds, are different. How you guys sit in this room and say, ‘Oh this is what we do.’ You really believe you represent the marginalized communities that are being over policed? If you do, this is a delusion.

“Who is getting shot in the streets by HPD? I want you guys to be transparent about the fact that you recognize the difference between you and us. I’m a Black woman. There are no Black people in that room. So let’s get it correct. You know there is a difference between how Honolulu police officers would treat you and how they would treat me. There is a need for a CAC (citizen advisory committee) for people like me, for the Micronesian mother I witnessed at protests broken down on the sidewalk crying for the son Honolulu police officers killed. There is a different between her and you. And there is a difference between me and you. Everybody is not represented in that room that you are sitting in.”

Alivado urged the public to be patient and said despite the delay, the commissioners continue to work through the process and receive input from community members about who they want to see and what they want out of the next police chief. Public listening sessions and a community survey open to everyone could be used to include as many people as possible who want to provide input on the process.

Procurement law requires a minimum number of applicants to serve as the commission’s hiring consultant and a psychologist to interview the finalists, but the applicant requirement was not met for either position. The commissioners extended the deadline for applicants to July 30 and plan to urge local applicants to apply.

“This is not good that we are 30 days behind now,” said Vice Chairman Gerard “Jerry” Gibson. “If there is something we can do to receive more applications … we want to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

A physical examination, psychological profile, written exam and interviews with commissioners are all part of the requirements. A one-year residency requirement is on the books but may be waived by commissioners.

Also Wednesday, the police commission approved city legal counsel for the three officers charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap, the driver of a stolen car who led police on a high-speed chase after an alleged crime spree. One officer is charged with murder in the second degree and two others with attempted murder in the second degree.

The city’s Corporation Counsel recommended that the officers receive legal counsel and the commission agreed. The City Council will now vote on the corporation counsel and police commissions’s recommendations. There is also a civil lawsuit pending against the officers and the city, but the commission did not consider a request for legal counsel in that case.