Courtesy of Honolulu Police Department
HONOLULU (KHON2) — After nearly a year long search, HPD has a new leader. Retired Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan has been chosen by the Honolulu Police Commission by a unanimous vote.
The final vote came down to Logan and Scott Ebner, a retired lieutenant colonel with the New Jersey State Police.
Commissioners talked about how important it is for the next chief to hit the ground running.
Logan said he is more than ready to get to work. As the chief he wants to bring new ideas for recruiting officers to help with the shortage.
“What I’d like is every officer every civilian in the department to be a recruiter,” said Logan, the next HPD police chief. “I’d like them to bring someone into the department either once a month or once a year so we can get the numbers up. Lead by example. Show humility. My goal is to motivate and inspire, coach, teach and mentor so anyone can reach their potential. So if there’s somebody who wants to be chief, my job is to teach them. My job is to find my replacement. This is a five year term.”
Logan served more than four decades in the military, and during that time he served 20 years in HPD starting in 1982. He was a patrol officer, narcotics vice officer and was also a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division.
He is currently working as a criminal investigator at the State Attorney General’s office.
The four candidates included Retired Maj. Gen. Joe Logan, HPD Major Mike Lambert, HPD Major Ben Moszkowicz and retired New Jersey State Police Lt. Col. Scott Ebner
Some commissioners pointed out that the two candidates who are still in HPD just do not have enough experience in the executive level. Those are majors Mike Lambert and Ben Moszkowicz.
While the other two candidates have already served as leaders of hundreds if not thousands of people.
Commissioners talked about how important it is for the next chief to hit the ground running.
The Honolulu Police Department Commission meeting was streamed live on YouTube on Monday.
According to HPD, there were seven candidates that went through an assessment center each week. Each candidate was given three written tests and three oral tests.
The commission panel accessed “eight competencies which include communication, decision making and innovative thinking.“
The new chief is expected to have great communication skills to be transparent with the public and the ability to support the new three 12-hour work shifts that have been implemented recently.
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The HPD Commission consists of seven people. They are Chair Shannon L. Alivado, Vice Chair Gerard “Jerry” Gibson, and members Ann Botticelli, Doug Chin, Carrie K.S. Okinaga, Richard Parry, and Kenneth Silva. The commission was appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. They are volunteers from the community. They serve staggered five-year terms.
The finalists met with the commissioners on Saturday so interviews were done with commissioners split in groups of two taking turns with each candidate.