Honolulu’s first female police chief makes surprise announcement to retire in June

By: Alfred Acenas
(EBC Hawaii-Pacific)

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Police Chief Susan Ballard says she will retire June 1, after serving nearly three-and-one-half years at the helm of the Honolulu Police Department (HPD).

Her surprise decision was announced on social media.

It comes after the Honolulu Police Commission earlier in the week gave her low marks for her overall performance within the past year.

She was critiqued in areas as management of overtime, questionable procurement of new equipment using federal funds, and lack of engagement with the media during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lost confidence

“The Honolulu Police Commission has been taking a more active role in the running of the department,” said Ballard. “It’s becoming increasingly clear that I no longer have the trust and support of the commission and the new mayoral administration.”

“This, along with a rampant rumor campaign, has made it next to impossible for me to lead the department effectively,” Ballard continued.  “And so I believe it is in the best interest of the department and the community that I step aside and allow the commission to find someone who will lead the department in a way that they see fit.”

During a press briefing, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi admitted he was caught off-guard with the police chief’s decision.  But he also assured he did not lose confidence in Ballard’s performance, contradicting her statement on video.

Born in Virginia and raised in North Carolina, Susan Ballard became the HPD’s 11th chief and Hawaii’s first female chief of police on November 1, 2017.  She joined the HPD in 1985 and worked in a wide range of field and administrative assignments.

Appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council, the Honolulu Police Commission’s responsibilities include the appointment and removal of the Chief of Police; as well as the review of rules and regulations being implemented in the HPD.
(Eagle News Service)