No Promotion For HPD Major With Domestic Abuse Baggage
Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha says he still thinks Ryan Borges would make a good assistant chief despite the controversy.
Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha announced Wednesday that Maj. Ryan Borges will not be promoted to assistant chief.
Kealoha said in a written statement issued through a spokeswoman that Borges voluntarily withdrew his name from consideration after serious questions were raised about his suitability for the position.
Borges was a controversial choice for assistant police given his history of domestic violence, harassment and intimidation. He鈥檚 also now under an internal affairs investigation for soliciting community support for his promotion.
On Tuesday, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell met with Kealoha about the decision to promote Borges. A spokesman for the mayor issued a statement after the meeting that said Caldwell had 鈥渟trong concerns鈥 about Borges, and that domestic violence has no place in the police force.
Here鈥檚 Kealoha鈥檚 full statement about Borges turning down the promotion:
“I spoke to Major Borges this morning, and he has decided not to accept the upcoming promotion. 聽He said that he does not want the recent controversy to continue to be a disruption and detract from the positive work that the department does. 聽
“Although I still believe that Major Borges would make an excellent assistant chief, I respect and understand his choice. 聽My staff and I will be working with the city Department of Human Resources Division to discuss the process of selecting the next assistant chief.”
