First Tongan police chief in Hawaii retires after 36 years
May 2, 2021
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WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) The first Tongan police chief in the state of Hawaii and first Tongan police officer with the Maui Police Department has retired from the department after 36 years, officials said.
Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu, who is also part Samoan, grew up in Tonga and joined the department in August 1985, The Maui News reported Saturday. He served as police chief for seven years.
“He’s fulfilled everything we asked him to do, plus much more,” said Roger Dixon, who was chairman of the Maui Police Commission that unanimously selected Faaumu as chief in 2014. “The chief has made solid appointments in the department and is leaving a stronger, and more responsive police department.”
Maui Police Department/Facebook
The first Tongan police chief in the state of Hawaii and first Tongan police officer with the Maui Police Department has retired from the department after 36 years, officials said.
Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu, who is also part Samoan, grew up in Tonga and joined the department in August 1985, The Maui News reported Saturday. He served as police chief for seven years.
“He’s fulfilled everything we asked him to do, plus much more,” said Roger Dixon, who was chairman of the Maui Police Commission that unanimously selected Faaumu as chief in 2014. “The chief has made solid appointments in the department and is leaving a stronger, and more responsive police department.”
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lfujimoto@mauinews.com
Maui Police Department Chief Tivoli Faaumu delivers an emotional farewell speech as wife Deborah Faaumu looks on Friday morning at the Wailuku Police Station. Faaumu retires today after nearly 36 years on the job. â The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
WAILUKU Whether it was handing out bottles of water while talking to Black Lives Matter protesters, walking in high heels to support survivors of domestic violence or tackling a fleeing fugitive, Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu left his mark.
“As the chief, I can’t just hide behind doors,” Faaumu said. “I have to go out. I have a civic duty.
lfujimoto@mauinews.com
WAILUKU While the Maui Police Commission will seek candidates who have a bachelor’s degree or other higher education in selecting the next police chief, a four-year college degree won’t be a requirement to apply for the job.
“We’re seeking that requirement, but it’s not necessary,” Chairman Frank De Rego said as the commission discussed the hiring of a new police chief at its meeting Wednesday.
The new chief would replace Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu, who is retiring May 1 after more than 35 years with the Maui Police Department.
The five commissioners who attended the meeting by videoconference Wednesday voted to adopt minimum requirements set by the County Charter for the police chief job. Those requirements include being a U.S. citizen and having five years of experience in law enforcement, including at least three years in an administrative capacity.