After months-long search, Honolulu Police Commission names new HPD chief in unanimous vote

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - After a months-long search that involved public input and intense vetting, the Honolulu Police Commission on Monday unanimously selected former state Adjutant General Arthur “Joe” Logan as HPD’s next police chief.

“My goal is to motivate, inspire, coach, teach and mentor so everyone in the department can reach their potential,” Logan told reporters, after he was selected. “I have to make myself available to the public to get their insights and answer their questions and concerns and show that the department I am going to now lead is going to help them in what they would like in their community.”

He added, “I was just as surprised as anyone else when they made the decision.”

Logan was selected out of four finalists for the position, two of whom were from within HPD’s ranks.

He’s most recently been an investigator with the state Attorney General’s Office, but Logan served in the Honolulu Police Department for 20 years before taking a number of positions with the Hawaii National Guard.

He was the state adjutant general and head of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency when the 2018 false missile alert happened, and addressed what he learned from that day in speaking to commissioners.

“That should have never happened so to me it says you sweat everything and you make sure from top to bottom from left to right that you have covered every base, you’ve looked at every contingency,” he said.

“That’s the way I run myself. That’s the way I behave today.”

Speaking to reporters, Logan said he plans to move quickly to address some of the biggest challenges at HPD, including recruitment, public trust, low morale and a worsening crime wave.

Logan also said he wants his first deputy chief to be Keith Horikawa, a retired HPD major, and planned to speak to interim Chief Rade Vanic about serving as a second deputy.

The commission started its day about 9:30 a.m., and deliberated after hearing from the finalists one last time.

Commission Chair Shannon Alivado said she supported Logan because of his connection to Hawaii ― which he has called home for the last 50 years ― and “his commitment to mentor, motivate and strive.”

She added, “The department deserves someone who can hit the ground running.”

The other top finalists for the position were:

• Scott Ebner, of New Jersey, a retired lieutenant colonel with the New Jersey State Police.
• Maj. Mike Lambert, head of HPD’s Training Division.
• and Maj. Benjamin Moszkowicz is the head of HPD’s Training Division.

It’s been nearly a year since former Chief Susan Ballard retired, setting off a search for her replacement.

“We’ve really had a year now where we’ve allowed people to express frustrations ... and we are in a position where we have to choose somebody who is going to be able to make some progress really fast,” said commission member Ann Botticelli.

A total of 19 applicants started the process and seven dropped out before the second round, including Vanic.

The four finalists were selected from among seven semi-finalists.

Addressing the commission before he was selected Monday, Logan said the selection process was a “challenging experience.”

He also underscored the importance of emotional intelligence and bolstering morale.

“We as an organization need to ensure that we’re taking the mental, physical and spiritual health of our officers seriously,” she said.

In a statement after the commission’s decision, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he looks forward to sitting down with Logan.

“Chief Logan steps into this important role at a critical time, and I offer my warm congratulations to both he and his family on being named the next leader of the Honolulu Police Department,” Blangiardi said.

“Building back public trust and restoring morale within HPD need to be top priorities. It is imperative that the new chief and my administration establish a strong working relationship, and I will do everything in my power to ensure Chief Logan has the resources he needs to improve public safety an Oahu and lead the Honolulu Police Department into the future.”

SHOPO President Robert Cavaco also congratulated Logan.

“We welcome back and congratulate Retired General Logan on his selection as Honolulu’s next chief of police,” Cavaco said, in a statement. “With violent crime continuing to rise, coupled with our severe staffing shortage, we are hopeful that Chief Logan will work collaboratively with SHOPO and the rank-and-file officers we represent to immediately address these challenges.”

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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