Maui County’s new police chief and his deputy appointee said that an alleged incident of reported domestic violence against the deputy more than 10 years ago in Nevada was “unfounded” and had been investigated.

“That matter, it’s an allegation,” said incoming Deputy Maui Police Chief Charles L. Hank III on Thursday. “It’s completely unfounded. It was investigated both internally and externally and it was unfounded.”

“I think my record speaks for itself,” added Hank, who has more than 30 years in law enforcement.

He pointed to his resume, which had been circulated among Maui Police Department employees, and said “you see a lot more things that reflect my character and who I am.”

“I was not charged with anything. I was not convicted of anything. I was not sustained for anything and so it was a completely false allegation, that’s why it was unfounded.”

Hank was recently selected by incoming Maui Police Chief John Pelletier to serve as deputy, after which questions surfaced over a past investigation of Hank.

According to 2010 Las Vegas Review-Journal articles, a possible domestic violence incident at the home of then-Metro Capt. Hank was under investigation. Hank was not arrested after police were called to his home, and a crime report was submitted to the District Attorney’s office for possible prosecution. However, no charges were filed, the Review-Journal reported.

Both men hail from Nevada and worked together at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Pelletier said Thursday he was aware of the past investigation of Hank and also said the allegations were unfounded.

He said Hank was never arrested in the case and because the case involved a police officer, it “would trigger an extremely thorough investigation.”

Pelletier was confirmed by the Maui Police Commission on Nov. 3 to be the new chief. Both men are scheduled to be sworn in and begin their new jobs on Dec. 15.

On Thursday, Pelletier told The Maui News that Hank is “a great selection.”

“I think he’s got an extensive resume. I think anybody that looks at the resume will be impressed with it, which is why I released it,” Pelletier said.

He added that Hank has experience in community engagement, 21st century policing, as well as courts and judicial reform. 

Pelletier said that experience “is going to help us take the police department in the direction that I had outlined during the testing process.”

Via phone Thursday, Hank said he is “very grateful and honored and humbled” that Pelletier selected him.

“What I’m looking forward to is serving the community. It’s what I do. I think I still have something to give and to make a difference,” said Hank, who has served seven years in the military and decades with the Las Vegas police department, obtaining the third-highest rank with the department.

“Our goal is to make Maui one of the safest communities in America, one of the safest tourist destinations in the world and I believe we have some great people in the community as well in our agency and I’m excited to serve again and look forward to that opportunity,” Hank said. “It’s about making a difference, making things better and improving things as we continue to go forward.”

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com. Staff Writer Lila Fujimoto contributed to this report.