HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In his first interview since the Honolulu Police Commission passed him over for Honolulu police chief, Mike Lambert says he’s ready to be a beat cop again.

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“I just want to thank the media for coming and giving an opportunity for me to thank everyone that supported me through the process,” Lambert said.

As one of the three finalists for Honolulu’s next police chief, the state Department of Law Enforcement director and former police major was the only one who rose through the ranks at HPD.

Lambert was supported by Gov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and members of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. One lawmaker even held a press conference to protest the decision.

But Lambert says he wasn’t surprised.

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‘Not shocked’ but ‘slightly offended’

“I do know that they do think independently and they have their own ways of judging,” Lambert said. “I was a little concerned and I think there was a little hurt from the officers that there wasn’t an acknowledgement of their feelings on it, but not shocked at all.”

Lambert said the commission was looking for a specific individual through a specific lens.

“I haven’t gone to some of the national schools, the two- or three-week management schools, and I was slightly offended by that because for the things that I’ve done for this community, there’s no school for it,” Lambert said. “There’s no school on how to eradicate illegal game rooms here in Honolulu.”

The commission says they were looking for change. HPD’s last outside chief was in 1932, and the commission’s pick, David Lazar, says he wants to be the last.

No to deputy chief, for now

Lambert said he would not accept a position as deputy chief if future chief Lazar offers it.

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“No, because it wouldn’t be fair to him or I. To me, I think that the deputy chief has to be in absolute alignment and be willing to defend the character of the chief as well as the vision of the chief and I’m just getting to know him,” Lambert said.

But down the road, Lambert said he would accept the job if he believes in Lazar’s vision and what he’s doing.

‘A lot of our officers are emotional’

Lambert said it’s hard to say if officers will continue to leave HPD when Chief Lazar comes in.

“It’s really hard to say because right now a lot of our officers are emotional. I would ask them to give him a chance, but I think that there’s a lot of officers that are not, or there’s a concern with some of the policies that San Francisco had,” said Lambert.

He included Lazar’s political stances no cash bail and never working with ICE.

“I think it’s very important for him to explain his stance,” Lambert said.

‘I’m ready’ to return to HPD

At 46 years old, Lambert has already applied at HPD to become an officer. He says he’s ready to take the physical test, which includes running 1.5 miles within 17 minutes, 30 pushups and 30 sit-ups.

“I’m ready. You know, I’m ready,” Lambert said. “I’m a little bit of a showboat. I want to do well.”

His last day with the state hasn’t been set yet, and he needs five more years with HPD to reach full retirement, which includes $20,000 more per year in pension.

Lambert has applied twice to be chief and instead wants to focus on becoming officer of the year.

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