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‘It’s very humbling’: Sherry Bird becomes Hawai‘i Police Department’s first woman assistant chief

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Hawai‘i Police Department celebrated a momentous milestone last week when Maj. Sherry Bird with the department’s Administrative Services Division was promoted to assistant chief of the administrative bureau.

Bird is now the highest ranking woman in the department’s history.

Hawai‘i Police Department Chief Ben Moszkowicz, newly promoted Assistant Chief Sherry Bird, Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda and Hawai‘i County Police Commissioner John Bertsch. (Photo Courtesy: Hawai’i Police Department)

It was just 4 years ago when she made history for the first time during her 27-year tenure with Hawai‘i Police Department, becoming only the second woman ever on the Big Island police force to achieve the rank of major.

“It’s very humbling, letting it soak in, honored that the chief has put trust in me to fill this position,” Bird told Hawai‘i News Now after receiving her latest promotion. “So, super excited.”

She told KHON2 that making sure operations run smoothly, with as few hiccups as possible while helping facilitate the members of her division to do their jobs efficiently and reducing any redundancy is what excites her.

The new assistant chief was the only one of four finalists for police chief in 2022 who was a member of department.

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Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz, who was with the Honolulu Police Department, was ultimately selected for the post and the one to promote Bird.

She previously served as major of Area II Field Operations Bureau, which encompasses the police department’s West Hawai‘i districts.

Bird’s former assignments also included patrol captain for South Kohala, lieutenant in the Area II Criminal Investigation Division, lieutenant in Area II Vice, detective in Area II Vice, officer in the Criminal Intelligence Unit and patrol officer in North Kohala and Kona.

Bird was one of 38 members of the department to receive promotions during a special ceremony last week.

“On behalf of the department, I want to congratulate the 38 members of the department who stepped up and earned their promotions;” said Moszkowicz. “The collective talent, work ethic, and dedication of this group is truly remarkable and they each deserve every bit of their success. I am excited to see what they accomplish to help move the department forward.”

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Among the others promoted were one to major, two to captain, nine to lieutenant, five to detective, six to sergeant and 14 to police officer III.

The promotions were effective Feb. 1.

Maj. Sandor Finkey, a 23-year veteran of the department, is assigned to the Administration, Technical Services Division.

He most recently served as captain of Administration.

Finkey previously served as captain of South Hilo Patrol, lieutenant in the Area I Juvenile Aid Section, sergeant in Puna Patrol, detective in the Area I and Area II Criminal Investigation Sections, community policing officer in Puna, with a patrol officer assignment in Puna and an initial cellblock assignment in South Hilo.

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Capt. Levon Stevens, who has been with the department for 21 years, is also assigned to Administration. Prior to his promotion, he served as lieutenant of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, or CALEA, Section, the department’s accreditation section.

Capt. Aaron Carvalho, another 21-year department veteran, is assigned to Ka‘ū. He most recently served as lieutenant and previously as a sergeant in the Special Response Team.

Capt. Edwin Buyten, who most recently served as commander in Ka‘ū, was appointed to the newly created position of vice captain, overseeing both Area I and Area II Vice Sections.

The other newly promoted department members are:

  • Lt. John Balberde is now assigned to the Area I Juvenile Aid Section. He previously served as a detective in Area I Criminal Investigation Section.
  • Lt. Matthew Bartz is now assigned to CALEA, where he was most recently a sergeant.
  • Lt. Kevin Brodie is now assigned to the Special Response Team. He was most recently a detective in Area I Juvenile Aid Section.
  • Lt. Grad Elarionoff is now assigned to Kona Patrol. He was most recently a detective in the Area II Vice Section.
  • Lt. Chris Jelsma is now assigned to Puna Patrol. He previously served as a detective in Area I Criminal Investigation Section.
  • Lt. Brandon Mansur is now assigned to Area II Juvenile Aid Section. He was most recently a sergeant of the Kona Community Policing Section.
  • Lt. Kelly Moniz is now assigned to the Area I Vice Section, where he most recently served as detective.
  • Lt. Derek Morimoto is now assigned to the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, where he most recently served as detective.
  • Lt. Ryan Pagan is now assigned to Hāmākua Patrol. He most recently served as sergeant of Administration–Training Section.
  • Detective Lisa Ebesugawa is now assigned to the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. She previously served as a school resource officer in the Hilo Community Policing Section.
  • Detective Joel Furuto is now assigned to the Area II Criminal Investigation Section. He previously served as a school resource officer in the Kona Community Policing Section.
  • Detective Sybastian Keltner is now assigned to Area I Criminal Investigation Section. He was most recently a police officer II in Puna Patrol.
  • Detective Bryson Pilor is now assigned to the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. He previously served as a police officer II in South Hilo Patrol.
  • Detective Duane Rapoza is now assigned to the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. He previously served as a community policing officer in the Hilo Community Policing Section.
  • Sgt. Pedro Cacho is now assigned to dispatch. He previously served as a police officer III in the Criminal Intelligence Unit.
  • Sgt. Bryan Ellis is now assigned to Kona Patrol. He was most recently a police officer III in the Kona Community Policing Section.
  • Sgt. Tyler Jelsma is now assigned to Administration–Training. He was most recently a police officer III in the Hilo Community Policing Section.
  • Sgt. Bryson Miyose is now assigned to Hilo Patrol. He was most recently a police officer III in the Puna Community Policing Section.
  • Sgt. Shea Nactor is now assigned to Administration–Community Relations/Safety, where he most recently served as a police officer III.
  • Sgt. Wyattlane Nahale is now assigned to Kona Community Policing Section, where he most recently served as a police officer III.

Brothers Detective Christopher Jelsma and Hilo Community Policing Section Officer Tyler Jelsma also were promoted to lieutenant and sergeant, respectively.

A certificate of appreciation was awarded to Reserve Officer Theodore Hamada for his 50 years of service.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s newest police chaplain Jeremy Barrientos was also sworn in during the ceremony.

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