Ballard Retirement will be Effective June 1, 2021

“The Honolulu Police Commission has been taking a more active role in running the department, and it has become increasingly clear that I no longer have the trust and support of the police commission or the new mayoral administration.  This, along with a rampant rumor campaign, has made it next to impossible for me to lead the department effectively.” – Chief Susan Ballard April 9, 2021

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Editor's Note: Those who pushed Ballard out are now rushing forward to say, 'not me'. 

None of these people forced Kealoha out.

All we have to do is believe that SHOPO Pres Malcolm Lutu is OK with the Chief who started her term by driving out SHOPO's last president, Tenari Maafala, who is currently suing Ballard for defamation.  

Then we just have to belive that Blangiardi, SHOPO's candidate for Mayor, had nothing to do with this.  And the Police Commission didn't just issue a report trashing Ballard, which Steven Levinson summarized as 60 days--“Or we are going to exercise our prerogative to terminate you,”

Que Bono?  Deputy Chief McCarthy becomes Interim Chief.

At least the Police Commission makes no real effort to pretend it had noting to do with ousting Ballard.

The Mafia has achieved its goal.  Next they will impose the Chief they want.  Someone like Kealoha without the drug-addicted wife to ruin it all. 

Here are the denials, for your amusement:

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President of SHOPO, Malcolm Lutu released the following statement in response to the announcement:

I have just heard the news today regarding Chief Ballard’s retirement. It has been an honor serving under Chief Ballard during these unprecedented times of COVID, declining economy, police budget cuts, and the loss of 2 of our own. Our profession is becoming a job that no one wants to do anymore. As hard as this job is, it must have been magnified for her, trying to produce results with the limited resources and the additional duties our officers are tasked with.

Hawaii is a unique place along with its people and culture. With social media and politicians taking on a subject that doesn’t present itself here makes our job difficult. If you haven’t walked in our shoes, you would never know how it feels to have naysayers and social media warriors commenting on how to do your job.

Chief Ballard has always understood SHOPO’s role and allowed us to discuss our differences freely. We may not have always agreed but there was always a mutual respect between her and the union. I personally have always supported and respected her and her administration. Being Hawaii’s first female chief, I was pulling for her and wanted her to succeed. Her heart has always been for the officers, and I only wish the best.

On behalf of SHOPO and all of our officials. I would like to thank Chief Susan Ballard for her service and for her commitment to our city and especially to our officers.

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COVERAGE: 

HNN: While the commission will select the next chief, Blangiardi said he wants a “big say” in the pick.

KHON: “I do believe the Commission’s evaluation was fair and accurate,” Blangiardi said

KHON: SHOPO president Malcolm Lutu says officers were unhappy with Ballard after being left in the dark on policy changes she wanted to make.  Lutu says that has changed in the past few months, however.  “Our biggest thing is communication and we feel that as of now, it’s good. It’s open and that’s all we ask for is for her to have her door open,” said Lutu.  He says Ballard had talked about rotating shifts every few months, which is something most of the officers did not want to do. She also talked about implementing quotas. Lutu says Ballard has since met with the rank and file and decided against the changes.  “So by her going to the watches and setting things straight and talking to the members directly, that was huge. And it set a lot of the rumors, it killed a lot of it, and put everybody in the right direction,” said Lutu.

HNN: “She put us on the right path when negotiations where going on. She knew our officers’ needs”--SHOPO Pres Malcolm Lutu

HNN: Blangiardi says he ‘disappointed’ in HPD chief’s decision to leave

SA: Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard announces her resignation  

SA: Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard through the years

CB: Embattled Honolulu Police Chief Announces Retirement  

KITV: “She's been so disappointing” say Lawson and Esser  

Cataluna: What Happened To HPD Chief? Blame The Pandemic  

CB: The process the commission used in its recent evaluation of Chief Susan Ballard is something to be admired.  (Translation: We like it when the mafia gets its way thru 'ethical' means.)