(AP) — A member of the Honolulu Police Commission is resigning after raising concerns about a lack of diversity in the process of selecting the department’s next chief.
Luella Costales, appointed to the commission in 2012, submitted her resignation Monday. She told The Associated Press she’s resigning after complaining there’s not enough diversity among members of a panel who scored the written exam that was given to candidates vying for the job.
There were no women on the panel, and all four members are from law enforcement backgrounds, she said.
Honolulu Police Commission member Luella Costales discussing the selection process for the next chief at a May 17 meeting. She resigned Monday, saying she was dissatisfied with that process. Anthony Quintano/Civil Beat
“The scoring panel lacks diversity in basic key areas, including gender, profession, residence, and cultural and ethnic background,” her resignation letter said. “As one who has spent decades advocating for diversity and equity in representation, and whose commission appointment was supported by community members who share in these values, I hope you can understand why I have chosen not to continue to be a part of the selection process.”
Costales’ letter noted that she has raised her concerns at recent commission meetings.
The commission hasn’t released the names of the semifinalists. A new chief is needed for the beleaguered department after Louis Kealoha agreed to retire amid a federal investigation. A federal grand jury is looking into allegations of civil rights abuses and corruption. Kealoha’s attorneys have denied any wrongdoing.
“I understand Luella’s concerns and agree that leadership should have provided more information regarding the consultant and the process he would use. But at this point we are well into the selection,” said Loretta Sheehan, another commission member. “We can audit the consultant’s work by reading the tests that were administered and the answers that were provided by all of the applicants.”
The consultant selected the panel members, Sheehan said.
Steven Levinson, another commission member, said the resignation comes as a surprise, even though Costales voiced concern about the demographics of the panel at a recent meeting. “I did not see a problem where she saw a problem,” he said.
Commission Chairman Max Sword issued a statement Monday evening saying he was “sincerely disappointed” about the resignation but adding that “I do stand firm in our decision to move ahead with the selection process.”
Sword said that “the next phase will include interviews with a diverse local panel made up of men and women in law enforcement. They will rank the current nine remaining candidates before they come before the Commission, who will then name the finalists from which the new chief will be chosen.”
He said the commission is aiming to choose a chief by the end of October.
The commission is made up of seven members appointed by the mayor and affirmed by the City Council. The volunteer commission appoints and can remove the police chief and investigates allegations from the public about police misconduct.
Costales’ term expired in 2016. But Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell asked her to stay on, possibly beyond the selection of the new chief.”Given the issues before the commission at this time, it is helpful to have a full commission, as well as a commissioner with the experience and background knowledge you gained during your tenure,” Caldwell wrote in his request to her.Costales is director of development for Kupu, a nonprofit that provides youths with training in conservation, sustainability and environmental education. Costales’ departure leaves the commission with five members. Commissioner Marc Tilker resigned in May.”What it means is that collaboration is going to be required as we can’t select the new chief unless we get four votes in favor of someone,” Sheehan said.
GET IN-DEPTH
REPORTING ON HAWAII’S BIGGEST ISSUES
Support Independent, Unbiased News
Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±. When you give, your donation is combined with gifts from thousands of your fellow readers, and together you help power the strongest team of investigative journalists in the state.
