Posted on: Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Big Island police chief's pay may increase by 21percent

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Mayor Harry Kim says he has no problem receiving less pay than the Big Island police chief.

The Hawai'i County Police Commission voted Friday to ask the county Salary Commission to increase the police chief's salary by 21 percent, to $91,599 a year, making the now-vacant job the highest-paid position in county government.

The police chief now makes $75,516, and officials say the relatively low salary has made it difficult to find qualified candidates for the post. The police commission also is urging that the deputy chief's pay be increased from $71,928 to $87,237 a year.

Kim said he has long realized the present salary structure has to be modified because the chief is paid less than some of the Police Department's high-ranking officers, who have too much to lose by applying for the top job.

"I have no problem whatsoever with the deputy or the chief receiving more than me," said Kim, whose annual salary is $85,080.

The police commission is seeking a replacement for former Police Chief Jimmy Correa, who retired in August to take a federal job as head of security at the Hilo and Kona airports that pays $110,000 annually.

The $91,599 figure was reached after a police commission subcommittee studied comparative salaries. The Big Island has more residents and land area than Maui County, for example, and 118 more Police Department employees, yet the Maui police chief makes $83,000 a year — almost $7,500 more than the Hawai'i County chief.

The salary commission is expected to take up the police executive pay issue at a meeting Friday. If the new salary is approved, the police panel has agreed to extend the deadline for applications by a week, to Oct. 14.

Assistant Chief Lawrence Mahuna has been serving as acting police chief.