Harris nominates ex-aide to Police Commission

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the second time in a month, Mayor Jeremy Harris has named someone with close ties to his administration to serve on the Police Commission.

Harris nominated former city budget director Caroll Takahashi to the seven-member panel, which reviews allegations of police misconduct, hires and may remove the chief of police, and decides whether public money should be used to defend officers accused of wrongdoing.

Takahashi held high-level positions in Harris' administration for eight years, and ran the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services from 2001 until her resignation in mid-2002 to help care for an ailing family member. Her appointment to the Police Commission is subject to approval by the City Council.

"Caroll has been retired for well over a year and is looking forward to serving on the Police Commission, especially since one of the commission's roles is to review the (police) department's budget," Harris said in a prepared statement. "Caroll has considerable experience in this area. In addition, she brings to this new position a commitment to do what's best for the community."

Takahashi would replace commissioner Dwight Yoshimura, whose term has expired. She would serve until the end of 2007.

Three weeks ago, the Council approved Harris' nomination of entertainer Jimmy Borges to the commission after Borges assured that his marriage to Harris' executive assistant would not affect his judgment.

Takahashi's husband, Herbert, is an attorney for the United Public Workers. The union represents many city workers, but not police officers.

Harris' appointments to the commission have received more scrutiny than usual because police and prosecutors are in the midst of a wide-ranging investigation of illegal campaign donations, many of which went to Harris.

One police commissioner, Leonard Leong, has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly donating to Harris under a false name.

Several Council members have expressed concern about Leong continuing to serve on the panel, but Harris has said he will not ask Leong to step down while the charge is pending. Leong has pleaded not guilty, and a trial is scheduled for next month.

Last year, Takahashi was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury as part of the campaign investigation. She was not considered a target of the probe, which has led to criminal charges against 10 others besides Leong.

Reach Johnny Brannon at 525-8070 or jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com.