Honolulu police Chief Boisse P. Correa was criticized in his latest evaluation from the Police Commission over failing to disclose to the commission and the mayor that he couldn't come to work because of back pain.

However, the commission said Correa "meets expectations" on the majority of his leadership and managerial skills.

Correa's annual performance evaluation was delivered to him yesterday and goals for the coming year were discussed. The evaluation grades in each category are: failed, improvement needed, meets expectations, exceeds expectations or exemplary.

The evaluation said Correa did not meet expectations and "improvement needed" in the area of communication with his supervisors, the mayor and the commission.

He was out of the office from late August to early January, when he returned on light duty. He returned full time April 1.

The commission and the mayor did not know Correa was out of the office until media reports surfaced in mid-September.

"The silence and uncertainty over his absence placed the commission in a difficult position with both the general public and the media as to what action, if any, needed to be taken to address the chief's extended leave," commission chair Christine H.H. Camp said yesterday.

COMMUNICATION URGED

"The silence and uncertainty created a lot of unnecessary and avoidable speculation on the part of the general public, the media, and even within the department itself. We hope to improve the relationship towards better communication and understanding from both sides."

Correa was praised for continuing to reduce the city's crime rate and for establishing a chain of command that functioned seamlessly in his absence.

Correa, whose contract is up for review in early 2009, was evaluated on leadership, managerial skills and communication with the commission.

In each category he "meets expectations," except for communication, where he received an "improvement needed" mark.

"When Chief Correa is at work, he does a good job as a leader and police chief. He displays strong leadership skills, is very articulate, commands respect and creates a positive air of confidence and competence," Camp said.

"I've been back to work for four months now and communication with the commission is better than ever," said Correa in a statement released yesterday. "We are fortunate to have such dedicated and hard-working commissioners."

"The commission and my administration have always been focused on providing the highest level of police services possible," his statement said. "During my absence, the department did not miss a beat in carrying out our mission. HPD has the best employees of any police department in the nation."

BACK INJURIES

Correa underwent three back surgeries in the past two years. Correa has told commission members that he has battled back problems since 2002 when he was an assistant police chief.

Correa reinjured his back in early 2006 during a training exercise at the department's recruit academy in Waipahu.

He underwent back surgery in April 2006 and again in August 2006. On Oct. 19, 2007, he was taken to The Queen's Medical Center and underwent a third emergency procedure.

The commission did not know he was working from home until the media broke the story in mid-September. The commission then received a briefing from Deputy Chief Paul Putzulu.

The commission's seven members agreed that Correa's important position demands that he communicate with the mayor, the commission and the public.

The commission requested a timetable for Correa's return and a progress report on at least a half-dozen occasions, but Correa ignored them, citing medical privacy rights, according to the commission.

The commission also was unaware that Correa was running the department from his home using a video link paid for with department funds.

Members of the commission are appointed by the mayor and have the authority to appoint and remove the chief.

POSITIVE EVALUATIONS

Correa took the $110,000-a-year job in August 2004.

His second review, delivered last year, was outstanding.

In his first evaluation, the commission lauded his efforts to improve crime prevention, traffic management, homeland security, technology management and community programs as best he could during tough financial times.

Correa also was praised because HPD is one of three police departments in the country to achieve accreditation in law enforcement, communications and training.

The commission will meet with Correa later this month to discuss goals for 2008 and the criteria for his next evaluation.