Civil Beat Staff

Jacob Geanous

Jacob Geanous was a reporter on the criminal justice beat. He wrote stories about police, prosecutors, the courts, corrections and more in Honolulu.

Previously, Jacob was working on the Documenting COVID-19 project for the Brown Institute, where he wrote pandemic-related stories for THE CITY in New York, WWNO in New Orleans, the Chicago Sun-Times, and The Kansas City Star.

Jacob was also a Stabile Investigative Fellow at Columbia Journalism School in New York City where he published stories on uncounted coronavirus deaths in NYC jails, which sparked a city inquiry, and Hart Island, the city鈥檚 mass grave site. Before he worked in journalism, Jacob earned a degree in criminal justice from Mercyhurst North East.

His first journalism job was at The Boston Globe, where he worked for more than a year and a half before joining the Boston Guardian. He later moved to New York City to become an American correspondent for .

Jacob was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania so he is used to beaches, just not the waves. Catch him in the water trying to teach himself how to surf.

You can follow him on Twitter .

The Cost Of Police Misconduct: Honolulu Spent Over $18 Million In Legal Settlements iStock

The Cost Of Police Misconduct: Honolulu Spent Over $18 Million In Legal Settlements

Meanwhile, the officers involved in the cases have faced mixed consequences.

Honolulu’s New Police Chief Promises ‘Enduring Change’ During Swearing-In Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Honolulu’s New Police Chief Promises ‘Enduring Change’ During Swearing-In

Joe Logan took the oath of office during a formal ceremony held about two weeks after he was privately sworn-in.

Honolulu Police Program Aimed At Beefing Up Staffing Will Stay For Now Honolulu Police Commission/2022

Honolulu Police Program Aimed At Beefing Up Staffing Will Stay For Now

HPD’s new chief, Joe Logan, said he needs more time to assess the 3/12 program’s effectiveness amid a department staffing shortage.

New Honolulu Police Chief Vows Transparency After Troubled Start Jacob Geanous/Civil Beat/2022

New Honolulu Police Chief Vows Transparency After Troubled Start

Joe Logan discussed trust, staffing woes and controversies in his first press conference since taking the helm of HPD in a private ceremony earlier this week.

Honolulu Police Department Swears In New Chief Without Notice Honolulu Police Department/2022

Honolulu Police Department Swears In New Chief Without Notice

A formal swearing-in ceremony will occur later this month and will be open to the media.

Police Patrol: Riding With HPD In Downtown Honolulu Underscores Staffing Needs Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Police Patrol: Riding With HPD In Downtown Honolulu Underscores Staffing Needs

The Honolulu Police Department has about 350 officer vacancies as the department prepares to onboard a new chief.

HPD Admits It Withheld Arrest Info About New Police Chief’s Son Hawaii News Now

HPD Admits It Withheld Arrest Info About New Police Chief’s Son

The police department put a “do not post to the media alert” on Zane Logan’s arrest until after they spoke to his father.

Former Hawaii Adjutant General To Lead Honolulu Police Department Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Former Hawaii Adjutant General To Lead Honolulu Police Department

The Honolulu Police Commission voted to appoint former National Guard commander Arthur “Joe” Logan as the city’s next police chief.

Honolulu Police Chief Finalists Address Crime And Officer Shortages PBS Hawaii/2022

Honolulu Police Chief Finalists Address Crime And Officer Shortages

The Honolulu Police Commission has said it plans to announce its choice by June, about a year after the previous police chief resigned.