HPD Chief Paul Ferreira Retires

Police Chief Paul Ferreira has retired from Hawai‘i Police Department effective today.

The chief has been with the department for 40 years and has served as chief since 2016. Deputy Chief Kenneth Bugado will step in as interim as the police commission selects a new chief.

Ferreira informed the commission he would be retiring on Sept. 1, 2022, during a commission meeting in Hilo on Friday, June 17. In an internal memo to his employees, he stated it’s been an honor and privilege to serve as police chief since December 2016 “in what I know to be the finest police department in the nation, primarily because it is staffed with you, the finest men and women in Hawai‘i.”

“Over the past six years, you have endured some of the most challenging times for the Hawai‘i Police Department, from a devastating lava flow to the murder of a brother officer, the changing of public sentiment for law enforcement and then the COVID pandemic,” the letter says. “Through all of this adversity, you, the men and women of this department, have demonstrated your resilience and commitment in ensuring the safety of the Hawai’i Island community.”

Big Island Now reached out to HPD and Ferreira for a statement on Wednesday. However, a response was not returned.

Police Commission chairperson John Bertsch told Big Island Now back in June he is looking forward to going through the selection process of a new chief.

“Paul has done a fantastic job in leading the county these last few years in a pandemic,” he said. “With so many rule changes and empowering police officers and maintain a strong force I applaud him for getting us through that.”

Bertsch added he wished Ferreira all the best of luck.