Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar Reaches 35 of 37 Benchmarks in Initial 90-Day Plan
When David Lazar took the helm of the Honolulu Police Department in July, his early agenda carried a focus on internal administration and resource allocation. According to a report by Hawaii News Now, Lazar told the Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday that he has successfully completed 35 out of 37 distinct goals established for his first three months on the job.
The core of that initial roadmap centered on budget audits and recruitment. Lazar moved to confront expenditures that had strained departmental resources.
Reassigning Officers Triggers Community Pushback
The most tangible operational shift occurred in September, when Lazar announced plans to reassign approximately 100 officers back to patrol duties. The primary catalyst behind the move was high overtime expenses. Yet the redeployment triggered public concern over the potential displacement of established youth programs, including the Police Activities League boxing program in Waiʻanae and the Junior Police Officer program.
Faced with community pushback, the department made adjustments. As the 90-day window closed and his fifth month began, Lazar turned his attention toward cementing a broader operational framework.
“As things have come up in those 30, 60, 90, and now starting my fifth month, I’m pivoting everything into my strategic plan,” Lazar told the commission. “I want the community to see it, weigh in on it. I want the members to weigh in on it. I want you to weigh in on it.”
Structural Objectives Remain in Progress
While the chief met nearly all of his numerical benchmarks for the initial period, a small number of structural objectives remain in progress. The department is working to establish a mentorship program for new recruits alongside an advisory forum to connect with community members.
Additional proposals include expanding AI policies, hiring on-call physical therapists for officers, and raising more money through the Honolulu Police Community Foundation.
Honolulu Police Commission Chair Laurie Foster acknowledged the department’s trajectory during Wednesday’s proceedings, noting that the early milestones offer a positive start.
“While there is still important work ahead, these early accomplishments reflect a positive start, and we look forward to seeing that momentum continue as he works to strengthen the department and better serve our community,” Foster said. Chair Laurie Foster
