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Council adopts pilot plan for school resource officers at West Oahu high schools
Summary
The City Council adopted Resolution 25‑30 to urge an agreement between HPD and the Hawaii State Department of Education to assign school resource officers (SROs) to West Oahu public high schools; supporters cited reduced violence and stronger student‑officer relationships based on Maui experience.
The Honolulu City Council voted March 12 to adopt Resolution 25‑30 urging the Honolulu Police Department and the Hawaii State Department of Education to enter an agreement assigning school resource officers to West Oahu public high schools.
The resolution passed after extensive testimony from current and former SROs, school administrators and community members who described SROs as educators, mentors and de‑escalators. Supporters cited experience from Maui, where officers trained through NASRO (National Association of School Resource Officers) said in‑school presence helped build trust and deter criminal activity.
Why it matters: Council members and testifiers said officers on campus improve safety and reduce the need for patrol responses to school incidents. Supporters noted significant increases in violent incidents in parts of West Oahu and argued a pilot could reduce community harm while building relationships between youth and law enforcement.
What council heard
- Multiple witnesses with SRO experience described the job as a triad of educator, informal counselor and law enforcement officer. Sergeant Jonathan Honda of the Maui Police Department said SROs "build relationships with students, faculty, and families" and that "these positive interactions foster trust within our community." Paul Ayo, a former SRO, described the role as "counselor, mentor, teacher, and law enforcement officer."
- Community members, including Representative(s) who testified, urged a West Oahu pilot because their schools had seen increased violent crime. Council Member Tupelo cited HPD data showing a 33% increase in violent crime in parts of West Oahu and said Kapolei, Campbell and Nanakuli High Schools reported over 800 service calls requiring police response during the 2023–24 school year.
- HPD Assistant Chief Aaron Takasaki Young told the council the department is exploring hiring retired officers on contract to staff an initial pilot: "We're looking to hire anywhere around 4 to 6 retirees." He said the department hopes to secure contracts by the end of the fiscal year and to start the program in the fall with two schools — one West Side site and one in the central patrol district.
Formal action and next steps
- Committee Report 58 and Resolution 25‑30 were adopted on the council floor. The council recorded no objections; the resolution asks HPD and DOE to pursue an SRO agreement and establishes a pilot framework for further planning.
- HPD and DOE were urged to report back with operational plans, staffing sources and funding options. Several council members and witnesses said the initial staffing model would rely on contract (retired) officers to avoid pulling officers from patrol.
Ending: Proponents said the pilot would be a first step to expand SRO coverage across Oahu if the model proves effective. The resolution does not provide funding; any personnel or contract costs will be subject to later budget decisions and interagency agreements.
