The head of the O'ahu chapter of the state police officers union is the subject of a police internal affairs investigation following an appearance on a local cable television show, police have confirmed.

Detective Alexander Garcia, O'ahu chapter chairman of the State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers, made a recent appearance on the OC-16 program "Countdown Hawai'i." The hour-long segment highlighted several police issues including the top 10 most notorious crimes in the state, unsolved homicides, DNA testing of evidence, and other general police topics, according to police officials who saw the show and Garcia.

The investigation focuses on whether Garcia was speaking in his capacity as a police detective or as a SHOPO representative.

Also at issue is whether Garcia revealed any privileged department information about old cases or current police tactics.

Capt. Frank Fujii, department spokesman, said the department "does not comment on internal matters."

Honolulu police officers are prohibited from speaking to media or members of the public about department-related issues without first getting clearance from a supervisor and the administration of Chief Boisse Correa. Speaking without prior approval is a violation of the department's standards of conduct and subject to unspecified disciplinary action.

Garcia, who has been a vocal critic of Correa's administration and recently commissioned a survey evaluating Correa's leadership, said the investigation is retaliation for his criticism.

"I think it's just a cheap shot and I'm really disappointed," he said. "No matter what I say, I'm a policeman, but I wasn't representing the department (in the segment). If I had said 'the department position is' then fine, but I didn't say that. It (the investigation) is a complete infringement of my rights."

Garcia posted word of the investigation on his personal Web site Sunday night.

Police said the "unscheduled investigation" is being handled by Garcia's supervisor and investigators with the department's Internal Affairs division.

Gregg Hammer, who was a Honolulu police officer for 15 years and who invited Garcia to appear on the segment for OC-16, said Garcia was asked to appear in his capacity as a SHOPO chapter chairman, not as a department representative. He said Garcia spoke about general topics, stayed away from specifics and in no way spoke for the department.

A lieutenant with Internal Affairs contacted OC-16 to set up an interview with members of the show, Hammer said.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.