New Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier is sworn in by 2nd Circuit Court Judge Kirstin Hamman Wednesday morning. At Pelletier’s side is wife Cristy Pelletier. After he was sworn in, John Pelletier spoke of creating lokahi — unity and harmony — between the community and the department. “We will open the doors and windows to this hale. This is the people’s station, this is the people’s department and we will make sure everyone knows and feels that,” Pelletier said. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
WAILUKU — Saying the Maui Police Department will be the “people’s department,” new Police Chief John Pelletier spoke of creating lokahi — unity and harmony — between the community and the police force.
“We will open the doors and windows to this hale. This is the people’s station, this is the people’s department and we will make sure everyone knows and feels that,” Pelletier said to applause in front of the Wailuku station Wednesday morning during his swearing-in ceremony and first day on the job.
Pelletier, a former captain with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, quoted Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Keep moving forward.”
“This will be the theme of this administration,” he added. “Challenges are opportunities and we have incredible opportunities. We have an opportunity to move forward and create lokahi with the community and the department at levels that have never been seen before.”
Second Circuit Judge Kirstin Hamman swore in Pelletier and his deputy, Charles Hank III, also a veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In attendance were Pelletier and Hank’s family, county and state leaders and the Maui Police Commission that selected the chief, along with fellow officers and MPD staff.
New Deputy Chief Charles Hank III shakes hands with 2nd Circuit Court Judge Kirstin Hamman after being sworn in Wednesday. Looking on is Hank’s wife, Lisa Hank.
Pelletier, a 22-year veteran of the Las Vegas department and commander of the Major Violator/Narcotics Bureau, was selected on Oct. 5 as the final candidate to take the top seat from a list of five finalists. He was the only non-Maui resident of the finalists.
In addition to stressing lokahi Wednesday, Pelletier said he has also begun working with Maui County residents.
“We have already begun building bridges with the community, even with some that have never felt included before,” he said.
Pelletier said he has worked with the community have put together the Maui Police Department Multicultural Advisory Council, of which some of the founding members were in attendance.
He also called the department and officers “amazing.”
MPD officers observe Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony.
“You are some of the finest men and women to wear the badge and take an oath not just in the nation, but in the world and I am so proud of you,” Pelletier said. “You risk your lives every day for those you have never even met. There is no greater love than that. There is no greater example of the aloha spirit than that.”
Mayor Michael Victorino was ill and did not make it to the ceremony, though his wife, Joycelyn, and Managing Director Sandy Baz were in attendance.
As the audience and chiefs stood in the hot morning sun, Baz joked about how Pelletier and Hank came from an “oasis in the middle of a desert” and now find themselves in an “oasis in the middle of the Pacific.”
“But it is a really important thing, for us to be our home. This is not just the tropical paradise, but in the home that we grew up in, that we love, that we care and we cherish and we protect, we serve. That is really what today is about in you starting your service here,” Baz said, thanking the men for taking the job.
“Mayor and I are here for you, here for your support and the council members, all of our team, the administration, everybody here at the county who is looking forward to your excellence, looking forward to you being a success, we thank you for taking on this challenge, we thank your families for the sacrifice that you will be providing,” Baz said.
Baz also gave recognition to former Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu, who retired in May, as well as Deputy Chief Dean Rickard, who has served as chief in the interim.
“There is a culture here. The culture is called ohana,” Council Chairwoman Alice Lee said during the ceremony. “We help each other in a good way. We take care of each other. I know that will be part of your culture as well.”
“We have worked with the department on a number of projects and we have a very close working relationship with the police department. We hope that will continue,” Lee added.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
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