HILO, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz has issued a statement reaffirming his deep and long-term commitment to Hawaiʻi Island, apologizing for recent decisions he now describes as “premature.” His statement comes after a period of significant public speculation and controversy surrounding his potential move to lead the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) on Oahu, a position that was ultimately filled by another candidate.
The recent events began on June 2, 2025, when Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan unexpectedly announced his retirement. Immediately following this, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi publicly and “strongly recommended” Hawaiʻi Island Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz to serve as the interim HPD Chief, with an effective date of July 16. Acting on this recommendation, Chief Moszkowicz submitted his resignation to the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission on June 4.
However, only hours later on the same day, Chief Moszkowicz rescinded his resignation after learning that the authority to select the Honolulu Police Chief, including an interim, rests with the Honolulu Police Commission and not the Mayor. Subsequently, on June 18, the Honolulu Police Commission interviewed eight candidates for the interim chief position, including Chief Moszkowicz. Following these interviews, Deputy Chief Rade Vanic was unanimously selected to serve as the interim Honolulu Police Chief.
The situation then shifted back to Hawaiʻi Island, where the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission held a meeting on June 20. Concerns were raised by commissioners regarding Chief Moszkowicz’s commitment to the Big Island, given his recent actions and a past instance where he was a finalist for the HPD chief position in May 2022. A motion to not accept Moszkowicz’s rescinded resignation failed to pass with the required 5-2 majority, effectively meaning his resignation withdrawal was accepted. A special public hearing is now planned before July 15—the originally stated effective date of his resignation—to allow Chief Moszkowicz to address the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission and their concerns directly.
In his statement, Chief Moszkowicz conveyed his sincere regrets regarding his actions during this period: “After careful reflection and consideration, I made some decisions earlier this month that I now realize were premature. For that, I am truly sorry. I deeply regret that my actions over the past few weeks have caused pain and confusion for so many people. I take full responsibility for my decisions and actions, and I hope to demonstrate through my actions that I remain fully committed to our shared future.”
Reflecting on his tenure since January 2023, Chief Moszkowicz praised the Hawaiʻi Police Department, stating, “When I arrived in January 2023, the men and women of the Hawaiʻi Police Department welcomed me with open arms, entertained my new ideas for running the department, and helped me to realize that the community policing model we have here is second to none.” He highlighted collaborative achievements, noting, “Together, we have achieved success on numerous fronts, modernized the department and found solutions to situations that benefit everyone. There have been challenges along the way, but no matter who has been involved, we have always found a way to move forward together.”
Despite the events of the past few weeks and the external attention, Chief Moszkowicz emphasized his unwavering dedication to the Big Island community. “My heart and my long-term commitment remain here, in service to the Big Island,” he affirmed. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead a department comprised of “hardworking, dedicated professionals” and pledged to continue building trust, safety, and accountability with Hawaiʻi County residents.
Concluding his statement, Chief Moszkowicz appealed for a second chance: “The communities that we all serve deserve committed leadership. If the Hawaiʻi Police Commission and the community they represent can find it in their hearts to give me a second chance to demonstrate this commitment, I pledge to remain the Chief of Police here for years to come. I would love to stay here, as your Chief, and would publicly commit to not applying to be the Chief anywhere else.”