Former chief Christopher Magnus’s nomination to police commission referred for review; he pledges accountability and community engagement

Christopher Magnus, a former police chief with roughly four decades of policing experience, appeared before the Honolulu City Council to accept a mayoral nomination to the Police Commission. Magnus told the council he was “fortunate” to bring experience in labor relations, officer wellness initiatives, recruiting and oversight work, including participation in Department of Justice pattern‑and‑practice reviews.

Magnus described accountability as a priority: “Even the very best police departments… need to be held accountable,” he said, referring to his experience as chief in three departments and work with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. Members of the council asked about Magnus’s ties to Honolulu and his approach to listening to communities with difficult relationships to police. Magnus said he has family on Oʻahu, is in Honolulu to help care for family, and pledged “humility and respect” and to spend time listening in neighborhoods and within the department.

Councilmembers raised the timeliness of the nomination: the city is searching for a permanent police chief and the commission will play a central role in that process. Members asked whether the commission should hire an outside consultant to aid in the chief‑selection process; Magnus said there is room for both a consultant and an active commission role if the consultant works closely with the commission and stakeholders.

The council referred Resolution 25‑200, confirming the appointment, to the Committee on Public Safety and the Economy for additional review. The committee referral preserves a formal opportunity to examine Magnus’s record and to solicit stakeholder views before a commission appointment is finalized.