Boisse Correa indicated yesterday he wants to continue as Honolulu's police chief after his five-year contract ends in August.

    Correa said he did not know yet how much longer he wants to remain at the helm of the Honolulu Police Department, but said he has no intention of leaving in the short term because he “;still has the passion for the job.”;

His tenure will be reviewed by the Honolulu Police Commission.

“;You don't want to walk out when the storm is coming,”; Correa said. “;Departments across the nation are suffering.”;

Correa said this in reference to the coming budget crunch that will force the department to do more with less.

This will include streamlining preventive programs, traveling only when funded by outside sources, such as the federal government, and implementing online reporting within the year.

This year's budget has not yet been determined. The department was budgeted last year for about $210 million.

Correa said he hopes to maintain the department's success last year, including the lowest reported number of crimes since 1975, the second lowest traffic death rate since statehood and the lowest number of complaints about officer conduct in 25 years.

For the first time since 1970, the Police Department has filled all of its positions. There are 2,134 officers.

Some officers have complained about patrol shifts shrinking, despite the full staffing. Correa said many specialized positions regarding homeland security have been created in recent years, taking some officers off the streets.

“;You're going to have a void out on the field,”; Correa said. “;You also have people who are injured. We have (more than 40) people activated in the military.”;

That is why any budget cuts would significantly affect their operations, Correa said, and why he will fight for status-quo financing.

“;There is no fat in the Honolulu Police Department,”; he said. “;We are down to bare bones.”;