Community members and commissioners voice their opinions on the hunt for the new law enforcement leader
The Hawaii Police Department is currently searching for a new chief, following the resignation of Ben Moszkowicz, which was accepted last month. Interim Chief Vanic is set to take over from Moszkowicz until August 31, at which point he will become the interim chief.
The position was advertised online and in four local newspapers for almost all of August 2022. Commissioners Wendy Botelho and Lloyd Enriquez have expressed a preference for hiring a local candidate for the position, with Commissioner Cook urging prioritizing the hiring of a local candidate who has a deep understanding of the local areas.
The concerns about the potential new chief extend beyond their local knowledge. Many testifiers at a recent meeting expressed concern about a potential new chief entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sam Guckenheimer, a software engineer, testified that he wants a new chief to immediately rescind all agreements with DHS and immigration agencies upon taking office.
The issue of immigration enforcement has been a topic of discussion at the meetings, with concerns about the bogeyman aspect of recent immigration enforcement by the feds. Testifiers have stated that ICE agents sometimes do not have warrants and victimize innocent people. Evens called for the next police chief to act against ICE agents breaking the law and protect due process for everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Robison, another commissioner, decried President Trump's call for a deportation force and urged the commission to incorporate specific questions about enforcing federal immigration laws in the application and interview process. However, Cook did not express any specific concerns about the potential new chief entering into a memorandum of understanding with DHS or immigration agencies.
Botelho and Enriquez expressed concern about a potential new chief being unfamiliar with the local culture, while Cook emphasized the importance of the new police chief embodying the spirit of aloha in their treatment of the community. Deputy Chief Reed Mahuna, who will become interim chief when Moszkowicz's exit becomes final, has not expressed any specific concerns about the search for a new chief.
Chief Moszkowicz attempted to withdraw his resignation, but was unsuccessful. Despite this, he is still the Big Island's police chief until August 31. The search for a new chief continues, with the hope that the new chief will address the concerns of the community and lead the department in a way that is fair and just for all.
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