Posted on: Friday, March 21, 2003

City searches for way to fill fire, police department vacancies

By Treena Shapiro and Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writers

With heightened security across the city threatening to tax Honolulu's understaffed public safety departments, the city administration is trying to find a way to pay for more than 50 vacant positions in the police and fire departments.

Meanwhile, the police department has been working on contingency plans in the event that war stretches its ranks thin.

Earlier this month, the city administration drew up a $1.178 billion budget that would eliminate financing for most vacant city jobs, including 41 police and 44.5 fire positions. The savings would be used to help cover a $76 million revenue shortfall.

Yesterday, however, city Managing Director Ben Lee said he would meet with Police Chief Lee Donohue and Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi to "hopefully be able to resolve what they need." That includes all 41 police officers and 10 to 15 fire fighters, as well as four or five attorneys in the city's corporation counsel office, he said.

"I've been working with (city Budget Director) Ivan Lui-Kwan to see how we can address their needs and to see whether, as the year goes by, there is any salary savings or any current expense savings to be able to cover paying for some of those unfilled vacant positions," Lee said.

"We will work very hard to see whether we can address police, fire and corporation counsel's concern," Lee said.

Financing for the vacancies is separate from another $100,000 per week the police would need to provide additional security at critical sites, such as the city's water supply, sewer system and H-Power.

Lee said the police department estimates the additional security could require another 15 police officers, either on overtime or special assignment.

Lee and City Council Chairman Gary Okino have discussed the possibility of tapping into the city's $5 million rainy day fund to cover these costs.

Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu yesterday said police administration officials are encouraged that the city is looking at ways to finance the vacant officer positions.

Donohue earlier said that with the heightened security alert, officers will be asked to work overtime if homeland security measures call for increased police presence. He also said he may transfer officers from prevention-type divisions, such as the HPD's Juvenile Services, to patrol duty or have 72 volunteer reserve officers handle administrative duties.

Leonardi could not be reached for comment.