New cop credits daughter who inspired him to join HPD

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nearly 40 new officers recently joined the Honolulu Police Department as part of the 220th recruit class, who got their badges during ceremonies Friday night.

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One of those new officers, Beau Nunes, credited his daughter as the reason he’s now in law enforcement, as the department steps up recruitment efforts.

“I was so happy, like from the beginning I really wanted him to be a cop because that was also my dream,” said Nalia Kahumoku-Nunes, Beau’s daughter.

She pinned Beau’s badge to his uniform, making him one of 37 new officers to join the department.

Beau said he was inspired to become an officer after Nalia enrolled in the Law Enforcement Explorers Program.

“Just like everything, I had to do every step of the way, you just got to face it and get through it and figure it out as you go,” he said.

This class marked a milestone for HPD, as 33 men and four women made up the largest graduating class from the police academy in seven years.

“You stand here having earned something very few people ever will, the privilege and responsibility of wearing the badge of a Honolulu police officer,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said during the ceremony.

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Leaders welcomed the new generation of officers — and highlighted key goals for the department, including open communication, prioritizing safety, and strengthening public trust in the police.

“Your badge represents public trust. Protect it with every choice you make both on and off duty. Ethics and honor are non-negotiable,” said Don Faumuina, president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.

“Never lose sight of the fact that every interaction you have is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between this department and the community it serves,” Blangiardi said.

This class is also the first to graduate since David Lazar became police chief in early July, who inherited a record shortfall of 470 officers.

Lazar plans to use technology to streamline the hiring process and increase retention rates within the department.

“We have a lot of momentum right now in terms of recruitment, and we are working on our retention. But to just see the families out here tonight, to see everyone celebrating, these officers are ready to patrol,” he said.

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