Hawai'i County Police Chief Harry Kubojiri and Deputy Chief Paul Fereeira were sworn into office yesterday during a ceremony at the Public Safety Building in Hilo.

Kubojiri told the audience that police officers and the public are all part of the same community. "This is your police department. We are here to serve you," he said.

The new chief also pledged that the department will be "as transparent as possible without violating anyone's personal rights or the law."

Kubojiri most recently served as deputy chief to Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna, who retired at the end of December.

Prior to being named deputy chief, Ferreira was the assistant chief of the Administrative Bureau.