Honolulu is about to make a hiring decision that could shape civilian police oversight for years.

And here is what makes it unusual: we do not need to change the City Charter, pass a new law or create another government agency to make a meaningful improvement.

The Honolulu Police Commission will soon select its next executive officer, the person who leads the professional staff supporting the commission’s work.

The commission is Honolulu’s civilian oversight body for HPD. Seven volunteer commissioners appoint and evaluate the chief of police, review major departmental matters and investigate complaints from the public. We do not run HPD, nor should we. The City Charter intentionally separates civilian oversight from day-to-day police management.

But oversight still has to be well run.

That is why I believe we should take a fresh look at what we are actually hiring the executive officer to do.

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The current position description devotes more than half of the job to supervising investigations or personally conducting them.

Investigations are essential. The commission’s investigators perform important work, and the public deserves a fair and credible complaint process.

But investigations are not the whole job of the Police Commission.

The commission also reviews HPD’s budget and policies, evaluates the chief, follows the department’s long-term goals, responds to public concerns and manages its own substantial responsibilities.

The person leading the commission’s staff should be able to oversee strong investigations while also running an organization: managing people, helping commissioners understand complicated issues, tracking recommendations, engaging with the community and building systems that last when commissioners change.

That is an executive role.

And defining it that way should expand, not narrow, the people we are willing to consider.

Former police officers should absolutely be welcome to apply. Law enforcement and investigative experience can be tremendous assets.

But they should be one pathway to the job, not the only pathway we can imagine.

Honolulu has talented leaders working in government, law, nonprofits, public policy, organizational management, community leadership and civilian oversight. Some may never have considered applying for a position like this.

I hope they do.

Over the past several months, I have met people who regularly attend commission meetings, testify, lead organizations and care deeply about policing and accountability in our city. Their perspectives are a reminder that valuable experience and civic commitment exist beyond the traditional pipeline.

The goal should not be to favor an insider or outsider, a former officer or someone who has never worn a badge. It should be to attract an exceptional field and choose the best leader.

The City Auditor’s 2024 review gives this discussion additional importance. It found that the commission lacked consistent processes in several areas required by the charter. You do not have to agree with every conclusion in the audit to recognize the larger lesson: good civilian oversight requires strong institutional support.

Five years from now, success should be easy to describe.

Major recommendations should be tracked. HPD’s strategic commitments should be followed over time. Staff should have clear leadership. Complicated issues should reach commissioners with useful research and context. The public should know how to engage with the commission and what happens after it does.

That is a functioning oversight institution.

Frankly, this should be an exciting role.

For the right person, this is a serious city leadership position with the opportunity to help shape how civilian police oversight works in Honolulu for the next decade. It is a chance to lead people, strengthen an institution, engage with the community and leave behind systems that matter long after any individual commissioner’s term ends.

That ought to attract exceptional people.

And again, we do not need to reinvent government to do it.

We need to clearly define the leadership the position requires, work through the city’s existing personnel process, recruit broadly and choose wisely.

Before we make those decisions, I hope the public weighs in.

Follow the commission’s upcoming agendas and submit testimony when this issue comes before us. Tell us what kind of leader we should be looking for, what experience matters and what you want civilian police oversight in Honolulu to look like years from now.

If you believe investigative or law enforcement experience should remain central to the position, tell us that too.

And if you know someone, inside or outside the traditional circles, who could be exceptional at this job, encourage them to pay attention.

This is bigger than filling a vacancy.

It is a rare chance to strengthen an important institution using the authority, staff and position we already have.

We just need to recognize the opportunity and find the right person.