The Maui News

The Maui Police Commission is hoping to have a new police chief selected by the end of September, its chairman said Wednesday.

Frank De Rego Jr. said he hopes to have the selection done by then but noted that the timeline will depend on whether the commission can make certain arrangements, especially with rising COVID-19 cases.

The commission decided at its regular virtual meeting Wednesday that it will seek permission from Mayor Michael Victorino to allow the commission to administer a written test to the five candidates for chief in person as well as hold in-person interviews. The commission expects the test and interviews to be held on separate dates in September.

At its next meeting on Aug. 25, the commission intends to approve the questions that it will pose to the candidates.

The commission also voted Wednesday to accept the temporary investigative group’s recommended candidates: Capt. Everett Ferreira, commander of the Wailuku Patrol Division; former Maui Police Assistant Chief Larry Hudson, who is now retired; current Assistant Chief John Jakubczak; Capt. John Pelletier of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; and current Assistant Chief Victor Ramos.

The commission is seeking to replace former Chief Tivoli Faaumu, who retired on May 1.