Incoming HPD Chief Lazar begins onboarding; will be sworn in July 2

News admin June 18, 2026 0 Comments

Incoming HPD Chief Lazar begins onboarding; will be sworn in July 2

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Incoming Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar has moved to Oʻahu and is continuing his transition into the role, which included attending Wednesday’s Honolulu Police Commission meeting.

His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 2.

Before then, Lazar said he is completing an onboarding process that includes a background check, training, meetings with city leaders, and being fitted for his uniform.

Lazar said he officially moved to Honolulu on Sunday and reported to the Honolulu Police Department on Monday on a volunteer status.

Since being selected, Lazar said he has completed leadership training and met with outgoing acting Chief Rade Vanic and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. He also told commissioners he attended the mayor’s cabinet meeting Wednesday.

Lazar said his initial focus will be assessing the department and identifying the biggest areas of need.

“When you talk about the job announcement for chief and the vision, the vision will come from the rank and file, it will come from the leadership team here,” Lazar said. “But we already know some of the big categories. It’s wellness, morale, it’s recruitment, retention, it’s modernization, and then we have to fight crime and so we’ll have strategies around that as well, so those are kind of the big ticket items.”

He also emphasized building relationships and said he has already been hearing ideas from within the department.

Lazar is scheduled to meet Friday with leaders of the State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers, the police officers union.

He said he has felt a great sense of support from the city’s administration and the police commission.

“I haven’t felt so much support, I think, in all my policing career,” Lazar told commissioners.