Hawaiʻi Police Department promotes 23-year veteran Lt. William Derr to rank of captain

After five years of extensive work in community policing on Hawaiʻi Island, Lt. William Derr has been promoted to the rank of captain by the Hawaiʻi Police Department, effective today.

Derr, a 23-year veteran of the department, has been assigned as captain to the North Kohala District.

Derr began his law enforcement career with Kaʻū Patrol and later served in Puna Patrol. While assigned to patrol, he also worked as a field training officer and, in 2007, was promoted to police officer III and assigned to the Hilo Community Policing Section.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2013 and returned to Puna Patrol, where he served until being promoted to lieutenant in 2017 and assigned to Hilo Patrol.

In 2020, Derr became the first lieutenant of the Hilo Community Policing Section. Since that time, he has established a network of partnerships and collaborations with county agencies and community groups to expand outreach efforts benefiting keiki and kūpuna alike, including the police department’s HI-PAL series for youth.

“Captain Derr has extensive experience in community policing and has always prioritized community engagement,” said Interim Police Chief Reed Mahuna. “I am excited to see what he can do in his new role and look forward to him taking that experience and commitment with him to benefit the Kohala community.”

The Hawaiʻi Police Department congratulates Captain Derr on his promotion and looks forward to his continued leadership and service to the North Kohala District.