Honolulu Police Major Andre Peters announced last night that the department’s 223rd recruit class has set a new record with 16 female recruits, surpassing the previous record of 15.

The announcement comes shortly after the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) became the first county police department in Hawaiʻi to join the nationwide 30×30 Pledge, an initiative focused on advancing the representation, experiences, and well-being of women in policing.

“This is a significant milestone for HPD,” said Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar. “We have outstanding women serving and leading throughout the department, and we’re committed to building on that momentum by creating more opportunities for women to succeed at HPD.”

Women currently make up 14% of HPD’s sworn officers, compared with approximately 12% of full-time sworn officers at state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics.

“I could not be more proud of these 16 women who have stepped forward to serve our community,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Their commitment, courage and willingness to take on the responsibility of protecting others speaks volumes about their character. I have tremendous respect for each of them, and I want them to know how much we appreciate their decision to serve. They are setting an example for the next generation of women in law enforcement, and I look forward to watching them succeed.”

The milestone also reflects HPD’s ongoing efforts to encourage more women to pursue careers in law enforcement and help shape the department’s future.

“We want more women to see law enforcement as a rewarding career where they can make a difference in their communities,” said Major Matthew Kurihara of HPD’s Human Resources Division. “This shows we’re moving in the right direction, and we hope to see that interest continue to grow.”

The 223rd recruit class is scheduled to graduate in May 2027.