SB 2177 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 52D-2 to allow counties to appoint and remove police chiefs according to their respective county charters rather than through the police commission.

• Removes existing language requiring the police commission to appoint the chief of police and replaces it with charter-based appointment authority.

• Maintains the requirement that the chief of police submit an annual report to the police commission on the state and condition of the police department.

• Establishes that charter provisions governing county executive, legislative, and administrative structure are superior to statutory provisions, consistent with Hawaii Constitution Article VIII, Section 2.

• Takes effect upon approval.