Honolulu's chief of police condemned the actions of two veteran HPD officers who were arrested this weekend in Las Vegas on marijuana charges after leading police on a short chase.

HPD Chief Boisse Correa said if the allegations against the two are true, they "should not be police officers."

The officers were identified by Nevada police as Kevin Fujioka, 37, and Shayne Souza, 47.

Clark County police spokeswoman Stacey Welling said the officers, who were in Las Vegas for a softball tournament for police and firefighters, were arrested Saturday night near Desert Breeze Park.

Scott Wilson, a 38-year-old Honolulu man, was also arrested.

Welling said park police spotted the men in a white van that was parked sideways across two spots in the parking lot. She said as officers approached, the van drove off and "there was a short pursuit." Then, the van stopped and Souza and Fujioka got out and allegedly ran from police officers.

Welling said Souza resisted arrest and officers used pepper spray on him.

None of the Nevada officers was injured in the incident, Welling said.

All three Honolulu men were charged with marijuana possession.

Fujioka was also charged with driving under the influence of a narcotic, while Souza was also charged with resisting a police officer and obstruction of justice.

All the charges against the three are misdemeanors. Fujioka was released Sunday after posting $2,200 bail, the Clark County Detention Center said. The other two were released Sunday without posting bail.

In a short statement released yesterday, Correa said the Honolulu Police Department has started an investigation into the incident. He said department policy prohibits drug use by officers and that the two could face "serious consequences, including loss of police powers and termination."

"If these allegations are true, these individuals should not be police officers," Correa said, adding "they should not be supported by their fellow officers or their union." Correa also urged the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers to stand up against the actions of the officers.

The union has "said that it does not tolerate illegal drug use by its members," he said. "I hope that the union leadership will stand by its word in this case and do what is right for the community."

A SHOPO representative did not return calls for comment.

LONGTIME OFFICERS

Souza is a 20-year veteran of HPD and is in the specialized services unit.

Fujioka is a patrol officer assigned to Pearl City, and has been with HPD for 13 years.

Police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said the two were off-duty in Las Vegas.

They have not returned to duty and Yu said she is not sure when they are scheduled to.

In his statement, Correa said all HPD officers randomly undergo drug tests. Those in certain assignments, including narcotics investigators, are more frequently tested.

The arrests created a stir among members of the Las Vegas crime-fighting community. Nevada Police Athletic Federation President Tom Wagner said the incident occurred during a men's softball tournament that was part of the 2009 Nevada Police & Fire Games. The five-day event includes 2,000 police and firefighters from around the country who play various sports.

Desert Breeze Park, where the arrests happened, is about six miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Wagner called the arrests "shocking."

He also said it's possible the arrested players and their team might not be welcomed at future games. "It's unfortunate, but we definitely are going to be speaking to that coach and that police department and getting the story and deciding what our action will be as a federation," he told the AP.

Dennis Peterson, president of the Hawaii Police Athletic Federation, said he did not have information on the arrests and so could not comment.

"I was always told, never believe what you hear and only believe half of what you see," Peterson said, adding the group would likely talk about the allegations in the near future to decide what to do. "I'm sure we're going to discuss it," he said.

Meanwhile, the two officers are facing court dates in October and November.

Fujioka's court date in Las Vegas is set for Nov. 16.

Souza is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 15.

Meanwhile, Wilson, who the AP said is a Honolulu social worker, was arrested on two misdemeanors — possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. He was released without posting bail and his court date is set for Oct. 15.