HPD chief on leave after back surgery

Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa is recovering from back surgery and will be on injured leave for an indefinite period of time, a spokesman said.

"He's home recuperating and he's very anxious to return," said HPD spokesman Capt. Frank Fujii.

Deputy Chief Glen Kajiyama is serving as acting chief in Correa's absence, but the chief still will be consulted on "major" decisions concerning operations of the department, Fujii said.

Correa had back surgery on Aug. 26.

Fujii said the chief did not want to disclose any further information about the surgery or the condition that required the operation.

It was the chief's second back operation this year, after previously undergoing a procedure in April, Fujii said.

Fujii could not say how much time Correa missed as a result of the previous surgery, but added, "He just tried to come back too fast."

He said there was no timetable on when Correa would return to duty.

"There's nothing definitive right now," he said. "The most important thing is he's anxious to return, and he'll be back as soon as the doctor clears him for work."