Hawaiʻi Police Department Deputy Chief Bird Public Swearing-in Ceremony April 9 in Kona

The Hawai‘i Police Department will hold a public swearing-in ceremony for Deputy Chief Sherry Bird on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center Pavilion, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, in Kailua-Kona.

Assistant Chief Sherry Bird was confirmed as deputy chief by the Hawai‘i County Police Commission during its monthly meeting in Kona on Friday, March 20, 2026. Her confirmation marks the first time in the department’s 83-year history that a woman has served as deputy chief.

Following the commission meeting, Bird was officially sworn in by Mayor Kimo Alameda’s executive assistant, Micah Alameda, during a private ceremony in the Mayor’s office in Kona. The private swearing-in enabled Bird to formally carry out her duties as deputy chief.

Prior to her appointment, Bird served as assistant chief of the Administrative Services Bureau since February 2025. In that role she oversaw the Special Response Team, Administrative Services Division, Technical Services Division, and the Human Resources and Finance Sections.

During her 28-year tenure, Bird has served as major of Area II (Kona) Field Operations Bureau, overseeing West Hawai‘i districts. Her prior assignments include patrol captain for South Kohala, lieutenant in Area II Criminal Investigation Division and Vice, detective in Area II Vice, officer in the Criminal Intelligence and Unit and Vice section, as well as patrol officer in North Kohala and Kona. In 2012, Bird graduated the prestigious FBI National Academy, 249th session. She also has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix.

Police Chief Reed K. Mahuna emphasized Bird’s leadership and the significance of her appointment, stating, “Deputy Chief Bird has earned this role through decades of dedicated service across nearly every area of our department. Her appointment reflects both her proven leadership and the continued progress of our organization. We are proud to see her step into this position and hope it encourages more women to pursue careers in law enforcement and leadership within the Hawaiʻi Police Department.”