Honolulu Police Leadership Leaves Neighborhoods Unprotected

Police staffing is critically low; Residents and Businesses at-risk

News Release from SHOPO, Feb 10, 2022

Honolulu, HI – Every single day the leadership of the Honolulu Police Department chooses not to deploy enough officers to patrol all police beats, leaving many neighborhoods unprotected, without a single officer patrolling for the entire shift.

Click here to see how understaffed every part of our Island is.

“HPD deliberately choosing not to deploy enough police officers to protect every neighborhood is dangerous and unacceptable, and O’ahu County leaders must address this public safety crisis immediately,” said Robert Cavaco, President of SHOPO. “Our residents deserve more than a roll of the dice to determine whether they will have an officer patrol their neighborhood that day or not. This is simply not fair and it’s not safe for our residents or our officers.”

WHO: Robert Cavaco, President of SHOPO, SHOPO Board Members
WHAT:  Press Conference to expose the chronic HPD understaffing. Detailed maps showing actual shortages from the past weekend (February 4 to February 6) will be provided to show the breadth of the negative impact on neighborhood police patrols.
WHEN: Thursday, February 10, 2022 12:00 PM
WHERE:  SHOPO Office 1717 Hoe Street Honolulu, HI 96819

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SA: HPD acting Chief Rade Vanic quickly pushed back, saying officers routinely work together to cover patrol needs to keep the public safe, calling SHOPO’s stance “scare tactics.”  

CB: HPD Chief Disputes ‘Inaccurate’ SHOPO Patrol Staffing Criticism

HNN: Police union calls officer shortages at HPD a ‘dire public health crisis’ 

KITV: Police union sounds the alarm over Honolulu Police staffing shortage

KHON: Police union says HPD ‘turning a blind eye’ to staffing shortage

KHON: SHOPO: ‘This dangerous understaffing is an open secret’ within the Honolulu Police Department

KHON: Oahu business owners say HPD staffing shortage hurting bottom line 

KHON: Millions unspent as HPD patrol staffing lags and police actions decline