With one out of every five Honolulu police officer positions left unfilled, 9-1-1 response times are delayed and detectives are forced to manage heavy case loads, says Hawaii .
The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers is urging the Honolulu Police Department and county leadership to address a shortage of 437 officers that leaves areas of Oahu with “limited to no coverage” several days a week.
For the first time, the Honolulu Police Department is going into the high schools and all Oahu colleges to recruit women, targeting standout female athletes for recruitment in.
Honolulu police are expanding efforts to recruit women into their ranks as part of an overall effort to shore up staffing in all eight police districts.