Sheehan Confirmed for Police Board
But it wasn’t unanimous, as City Councilman Trevor Ozawa questioned and criticized the nominee, then voted against her.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s nominee for a fresh face on the Honolulu Police Commission, former prosecutor Loretta Sheehan, was confirmed by the City Council on Wednesday morning — but not unanimously.
Councilman Trevor Ozawa asked Sheehan about her views on Police Chief Louis Kealoha, who’s under an FBI corruption investigation. Asked if she would support the chief’s removal, she said wanted to gather more facts before making a judgment.
Sheehan said she’s “deeply concerned it appears (Kealoha) has lost public trust.” She also said some domestic violence issues have been mishandled by the police department.
Ozawa also pressed the nominee on why she missed a prior meeting to discuss her nomination and ignored subsequent calls and emails to meet prior to Wednesday. She apologized for missing the meeting and said there was a miscommunication with someone she’d been speaking with as a go-between at the mayor’s office.
All Council members voted to confirm Sheehan except Ozawa. Councilwoman Kymberly Pyne commended the nominee for her work with domestic violence issues in the past.
The Council also confirmed the reappointment of Max Sword to the police commission.
