Honolulu police chief finalists answer questions in live PBS forum

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The three finalists to be Honolulu’s next police chief made their only joint public appearance Thursday night on the PBS Hawaii “Insights” program.

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It’s the only chance the public has to see Scott Ebner, Mike Lambert and David Lazar answer questions on the big issues before one of them is picked to lead the Honolulu Police Department.

Lazar was asked about how he would go about filling the 460 vacancies in the department.

“We need to go big and we need to go bold,” he said. “If I become chief, I’m doubling the size of the recruitment unit. I’m putting an assistance chief in charge of what’s happening.”

Lambert — the only Hawaii resident of the three finalists — pointed to his record leading the state Department of Law Enforcement, where he said he increased the number of sheriff deputy recruits, even though the pay is much lower than at HPD.

“When we started to ask the deputies ‘why us?’ Why us over another agency even though we pay less, they said you guys seem more exciting. You guys seem like you’re doing new things,” Lambert said.

Ebner, who’s currently a chief in Georgia, talked about other chiefs on the continental U.S. who were successful in new cities.

“They went into the departments — they weren’t from there. But they brought in the expertise, the respect, the professionalism, and they were transparent,” Ebner said. “I did that in every job that I’ve had in police work from when I was a police officer in Florida to 27 years in the New Jersey State Police.”

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Lambert said HPD’s reputation still needs to be repaired in the wake of disgraced chief Louis Kealoha, who was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

“It was the chief who screwed up. But yet we all paid the consequences,” Lambert said. “To this day they’re wondering, oh if we give Mike a chance, will he be like Louis? I’m nothing like Louis. I’m a different person. I have different values.”

Ebner pledged to make capital improvements to the department if he becomes chief.

“I went by facilities, vehicles, equipment, and its all in disarray. Who’s planning here for the last five, ten 15, 20 years? Strategically, capital improvement plans — these are very important, and that all needs to be addressed right now,” he said.

Lazar said ultimately, more work also needs to be done to attract the next generation to law enforcement.

“We really need to promote that with our young people about making a difference and helping people for the greater good, and really show them what the nobility of policing really means,” said Lazar.

The Honolulu Police Commission will choose one of them as the new police chief next Wednesday.

Read more Honolulu Police Chief candidates take questions from the public in live forum