"It's a sad day that all of this is unraveling at this time," said Correa, speaking after an awards ceremony at HPD's Alapa'i Street headquarters yesterday. "But we have to make sure the department is clean. ... We don't want officers in this profession that are doing things illegal."

Correa's comments come a few weeks after six HPD officers' homes were searched by FBI agents as part of an investigation into allegations that officers helped set up and protect illegal cockfights and other gambling activity in exchange for things of value. The officers allegedly helped to facilitate and protect large cockfighting derbies on O'ahu.

Other forms of gambling, including card and dice games, are set up at the derbies.

The cousin of one of the officers, a construction union official, also had his home searched as part of the probe, said the man's attorney, Michael Green.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. FBI Special Agent Arnold Laanui confirmed that seven search warrants have been served but declined to disclose further details.

Correa said he recently held a meeting with officers at the rank of captain and above to stress that they will be held to higher standards. He reminded them that they can be subject to disciplinary action or arrest if they are caught driving under the influence, abusing a spouse, playing politics on company time, or breaking laws of any kind.

"If the facts justify the violations, the discipline is going to be extreme," he said.

Correa said administrative action has been taken against the officers involved in the federal probe but declined to say what that involved. According to the State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers, the six officers are on unpaid leave from the department.

"We're trying to resolve this with the department, at least get them (the six officers) back to work until something is resolved," said Lt. Alex Garcia, SHOPO's O'ahu chapter chairman. "They haven't been arrested, charged and there is no evidence, only accusations."

Garcia said that officers can be put on leave without pay for up to 30 days before the department has to show cause in order to prolong the leave.