Honolulu Police Shift 100 Officers Back to Patrol

Chief David Lazar's reassignment plan follows a recruit class of 66 officers, the largest in 12 years.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Honolulu Police Shift 100 Officers Back to Patrol

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Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar announced in September plans to shift approximately 100 officers back to patrol duties. The reassignments cite high overtime expenses as a primary driver.

Why it matters

The adjustments are intended to keep patrol divisions covered without inflating taxpayer costs in a department with an annual budget of about $400 million. Lazar adjusted the plans after community pushback, and neighborhood input remains a factor in how personnel are assigned.

HPD's annual budget is about $400 million, and about 100 officers are being moved back to patrol. The extraction does not show the resulting overtime savings or a completion date for the reassignments.

The players

David Lazar

Honolulu Police Chief who announced the reassignment of approximately 100 officers back to patrol duties.

Honolulu Police Department

The municipal police agency serving Honolulu, which operates on an annual budget of about $400 million and recently graduated its largest recruit class in 12 years.

The details

Plans surfaced to pull personnel from specialized assignments, including the Police Activities League boxing program in Waiʻanae and the Junior Police Officer program. Lazar adjusted the reassignment plans following community pushback, and HPD accelerated academy recruitment to offset deficits at stations including Kalihi.

September: Lazar announced plans to shift about 100 officers to patrol duties.
Nov. 4: A Covering the Cost interview with Lazar aired.

Season Trajectory

The reassignments follow HPD's push to accelerate academy recruitment after a recruit class of 66 officers, the largest in 12 years, while overtime costs continue to pressure the department's budget. Shifting officers back to patrol is an operational response to staffing deficits across Oʻahu rather than a new hiring approach.

Patrol coverage at stations including Kalihi depends on how quickly reassigned officers return to regular shifts. Changes to youth programs such as the Police Activities League boxing program in Waiʻanae may affect local families who use them.

The takeaway

Residents of Honolulu can watch how staffing changes affect neighborhood patrol coverage and community programs as the reassignments take effect. Staffing decisions that weigh overtime costs against public safety often shift in response to local input.