Editor’s note: Commissioner Chris Magnus is submitting this essay as an individual and is not speaking on behalf of the Honolulu Police Commission.

A recent essay in the Ideas section of Sunday’s Civil Beat (“The Honolulu Police Commission Doesn’t Know What HPD Needs”) by Cpl. Nick Schlapak, president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, expressed frustration with the police chief selection processes utilized by the past and current Honolulu Police Commission.

He described SHOPO’s concerns about the value of chief candidates’ experience, their history of working with unions, and their ability to administer discipline when necessary. Understandably, Mr. Schlapak and SHOPO’s members seek a new chief who will champion the need for additional Honolulu Police Department resources and advocate for HPD officers.

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Mr. Schlapak further expressed his concern that the firm selected to assist the commission with the selection process would fail to include community and employee input, a candidate’s leadership history, and, as he described it, the “width of the candidate’s shoulders.”

As one of the newer members of the HPC, with over 40 years of police experience, including many years on the street in patrol assignments, time as a union president, and over 20 years as a police chief, I appreciate his perspective.

I believe the mayor understands these concerns and is addressing them through his appointments of commissioners. The commission now includes two members with extensive policing experience, a retired fire chief with a background in public safety leadership, and other members who possess strong community engagement skills, including the CEO of the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council.

The firm selected to support the HPC’s chief selection process, Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc., has experience working with numerous cities nationwide. As it so happens, I know several of the police chiefs chosen with help from this firm, including Spokane Chief Kevin Hall, Boise Police Chief Chris Dennison (both former assistant chiefs in Tucson, Arizona, where I was the chief for more than six years), as well as chiefs who have worked in Seattle, San Jose, and my hometown, Lansing, Michigan.

These are police chiefs who participate in community events, have a history of working with unions within their agencies, prioritize communication with department members, have implemented employee wellness programs and increased training, and have advocated for departmental needs.

They came up through the ranks, so they know what it’s like to work the night shift, respond to domestic violence calls, make traffic stops, be part of the SWAT team, and investigate tough cases as detectives. These are chiefs with “wide shoulders,” and I know several of them received union endorsements.

I have confidence not only in the firm that assisted the cities I listed, but also in the commission.  Yes, it takes time to ensure a lawful, credible and participative process, but I believe the HPC is acutely aware of the urgency of selecting a new chief.

Most importantly, I think whoever is chosen has to be the right person for the job. I hope SHOPO will give the HPC a chance to conduct a process that provides HPD with a police chief who is open to change, engaged with both the community and department members, and someone we can all be proud of.