2 women make history as
finalists for HPD chief

Chief Donohue’s replacement
will be chosen this month

For the first time in Honolulu Police Department history, two women are finalists to become the next police chief.

The two female police commanders are among the final four applicants announced yesterday afternoon by the Honolulu Police Commission. They are Acting Police Chief Glen Kajiyama, Assistant Chief Boisse Correa, Head of Internal Affairs Maj. Donna Anderson and District 5 Maj. Susan Ballard.

"We've never had even one woman make it to the final four before," said Police Commission Chairman Ronald Taketa. "I can't remember when a woman has ever applied for the position.

"But certainly no one is surprised that these women made it -- everyone who made it to this level of the selection process are extremely qualified commanders."

Police Chief candidates MAJOR DONNA ANDERSON Age: 58 Position: Head of Internal Affairs Years in HPD: 21 MAJOR SUSAN BALLARD Age: 47 Position: District 5 commander Years in HPD: 18 ASST. CHIEF BOISSE CORREA Age: 58 Years in HPD: 34 ACTING CHIEF GLENN KAJIYAMA Age: 48 Years in HPD: 27

Detective Alex Garcia, who is the Oahu police union representative for SHOPO, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, said: "It's a very diverse group ... a good group which represents different aspects of the department. I am surprised that Assistant Chief (Robert) Prasser wasn't in the final four, but I'm not disappointed with the selection at all."

The selection process began originally with 13 applicants, including three women. The list was whittled to nine after a screening exam.

Then the applicants participated in a series of exercises put together by an assessment team made up of a law enforcement expert from Texas and three community members: a partner in a Honolulu law firm, a retired newspaper executive and a vice president for Hawaiian Electric Co.

The community assessments took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, and results from those assessments were released yesterday. Taketa said one of the key factors in choosing the final four besides exam and assessment results was peer evaluations, which all nine applicants provided for one another.

"All nine who went to the assessment center rated each other," Taketa said. "The four finalists had extremely high peer evaluations."

The next step in the process will be psychological evaluations tomorrow and Monday, followed by oral interviews with Police Commission members Aug. 23-24.

The final decision is expected Aug. 24 or 25.

The selection process has been largely facilitated by mainland consultant Terry Eisenberg, who is being paid $29,000 by the city. Taketa said an outside consultant was needed to ensure that the selection process was fair for applicants.

The search for a police chief began shortly after former Chief Lee Donohue retired on July 1, the anniversary date of his 40th year on the force.