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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Kealoha set to be sworn in as chief


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Louis M. Kealoha

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Louis M. Kealoha will be sworn in as Honolulu's 10th chief of police at 3 p.m. tomorrow, the Police Commission announced yesterday.

Kealoha was selected by the commission last Wednesday from a field of six finalists.

Kealoha, 49, most recently has been captain of HPD's Juvenile Services Division. His longest stop moving up the command chain was six years as a lieutenant in the Training Division.

Kealoha, who grew up in Kalihi and is a graduate of Damien Memorial School, has a doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Kealoha also received a master of science in criminal justice administration from Chaminade University and has dual bachelor's degrees from the school, majoring in human services and occupational education.

Since 1999, he has been an adjunct professor at Chaminade's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

He is a 26-year veteran of HPD.

Kealoha has said he has a five-year plan for HPD, which includes "restructuring" the department, increasing community service and boosting morale.

"I bring a new vision, (and) ability to bring people together," Kealoha said last week.

Kealoha was chosen for the top spot at HPD after about a half-hour of discussion last Wednesday.

He was the rank-and-file favorite to head HPD, and he takes the job amid a worsening budget crisis.

Kealoha will take over a department with about 2,500 employees, about 2,000 of whom are officers.

He will be paid $136,000 as chief.