The Honolulu Police Commission has announced its choice for interim police chief upon Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard's last day on June 1.
Current assistant chief and 21-year veteran Rade Vanic will be interim police chief, the commission announced after a unanimous vote Wednesday.
“We are fortunate to have an experienced team of leaders in the Department. I look forward to working with the Police Commission and our officers to serve the public in the best way possible,” said Vanic, in a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Vanic has been a public face for the department at Police Commission and City Council meetings, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported.
Vanic was promoted and appointed head of the Support Services Bureau in September 2020. Prior to his promotion, he commanded the Information Technology Division and patrol of District 3 (Pearl City/Waipahu). Previous assignments include the Office of the Chief, the Criminal Investigation Division, and the Community Affairs Division, according to the department.
The commission is also working on hiring a new police chief. The hiring decision is up to the commission, though Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he hoped to have "a very big say.”
In April, Ballard announced she will step down from her role on June 1 and begin her retirement.
The announcement came after the Commission gave her negative reviews in a 2020 performance assessment, giving marks of “below expectations” in the overall categories of management and leadership.
"It has become increasingly clear that I no longer have the trust and support of the police commission and the new mayoral administration," she said in a video message. "This, along with a rampant rumor campaign, has made it next to impossible for me to lead the department effectively."
Ballard became the chief of police in 2017 and she first joined the department in 1985, according to the department.
