CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Alex Garcia is under fire for his statements
criticizing the police chief.

Retired cop wants
union leader out

Alex Garcia's call for
the police chief's ouster
draws criticism

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By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

A leader of the police union who called on Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue to step down is himself facing a call for his ouster.

Alex Garcia said Donohue and his staff should step down after two high-ranking Honolulu police officers were indicted last week on theft charges for allegedly spending money budgeted for prisoner meals on expensive food served to police officers including Donohue.

Garcia, who as the Oahu chairman sits as a member of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers board, said he was still waiting to hear from several board members on his request for a vote of no confidence for Donohue.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Police Chief Lee Donohue, shown here with Mayor
Jeremy Harris at a function in May, could face a
no-confidence vote from the police union board.

Retired police officer Steven Burke said many officers have told him they are not pleased with Garcia's actions.

"We feel that Alex Garcia should step down as chairman of the Oahu chapter," said Burke, vice president of Hui Ana O Makai, an organization of retired Honolulu Police Department employees.

He said officers were already embarrassed by the indictment of Assistant Chief Rafael Fajardo Jr. and Maj. Jeffrey Owens without Garcia making a public call for Donohue's ouster.

"He is causing an embarrassment to SHOPO, the police department and city and county by going directly to the news media," said Burke.

Garcia said: "This is an issue that involves the active officers. He (Burke) had his time in office; he should enjoy his retirement."

Burke said this is not the first time Garcia has aired the department's dirty laundry in public without first following proper grievance and union procedures.

Garcia criticized members of Donohue's staff as being loose cannons who are out of control.

Burke said Garcia is a loose cannon. He said several groups are planning to run candidates against Garcia in the upcoming SHOPO elections at the end of the year.

Garcia said he has not made a decision on the office for which he plans to run. But he said he welcomes challengers as a sign of an active membership.