Honolulu’s new police chief named two officers as his deputy chiefs Monday.
When the Honolulu Police Commission named David Lazar as the new chief of the Honolulu Police Department in July, Lazar said he would take some time before naming who will serve as his deputies. That process of consideration ended on Monday, when he named Maj. Brandon Nakasato and Maj. Parker Bode to serve as his permanent deputy chiefs.
Lazar said Nakasato will serve as the interim chief when Lazar is unavailable. Nakasato will lead HPD’s field operations, while Bode will lead its Administrative Operations.
Nakasato has 27 years of service with HPD, and has extensive experience throughout the department’s various investigation divisions, Lazar said. Nakasato was a graduate of the University Laboratory School and most recently served as Interim Deputy Chief, overseeing field operations, during the leadership transition period.
“He cares greatly about the department, and he is the best selection at this time as we move forward as a mission,” Lazar said.
Bode, meanwhile, has 16 years of experience, much of which was in the HPD’s Human Resources Division, and has most recently served as Lazar’s chief of staff. Lazar said Bode, who is 39 years old, is “one of the youngest deputy chiefs in HPD history.”
Bode’s father was an HPD major who retired after 33 years of service, Lazar said.
“[Bode] brought an innovative approach to HR in whatever assignment he took on,” Lazar said. “He is leading the department's effort to gather input from sworn professional staff to help shape HPD's new strategic plan: What our department will look like three or five or even 10 years from now.”
Lazar said he selected Nakasato and Bode after working closely with them in the weeks since his appointment, and after one-one-one conversations with them and other HPD majors, assistant chiefs and others.
“This was a challenging decision to make, but these two men rose above,” Lazar said, adding that both deputies have “great reputations” within HPD and in their communities.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi commended Lazar’s decision Monday, saying that picking dependable deputies is essential for any leader.
“I know what it’s like to have people close to you in these leadership challenges that you can absolutely trust beyond a shadow of a doubt,” Blangiardi said.
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