Honolulu police officer with troubled past charged with abuse of a household member

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Honolulu Police Department officer with a troubled past has been charged with abuse of a household member and harassment.

Officer Darren Cachola was charged Wednesday, and his bail was set at $1,500. Records show the 46-year-old was arrested at HPD headquarters at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Honolulu Police Department said Cachola has 23 years of service and is assigned to Pearl City. His police powers will be removed, and the department has launched an administrative investigation.

“Domestic violence continues to be a priority for the HPD,” said Police Chief Susan Ballard.

“Every allegation is thoroughly investigated, and the appropriate action is taken. We expect our officers to be positive examples for the community, both on and off duty, and are disappointed with the allegations regarding this officer’s conduct.”

Cachola has had several previous run-ins with the laws.

He is the same Honolulu police officer who was fired in 2015 after he was caught on camera fighting with his then-girlfriend at Kuni’s restaurant in Waipahu a year earlier.

Officers who responded were disciplined for improperly handling the cases. Cachola was never arrested or charged for the fight.

In 2017, sources said his wife called 911 to report that Cachola was choking her. However, when police arrived at their home, she insisted that she wasn’t hurt.

According to sources at the time, officers noticed red marks around her neck and issued a warning for Cachola to stay away from his wife and the home for 48 hours. Cachola was never arrested.

In 2009, his now-ex-wife filed a temporary restraining orders against him, listing six instances in which she claimed Cachola pushed, kicked or threatened her.

She said she filed police complaints in five of those cases.

In one she wrote, "Darren was intoxicated one night and started to fight with me. I called his sergeant and then called 911. When he heard that I was calling the police he said, ‘If I get arrested, I am going to kill you so it will be worth it.’”

Cachola also filed a competing TRO against her saying, “Repeatedly, that if I don’t follow her rules, that she will make false criminal complaints against me to jeopardize my job as an HPD police officer.”

Cachola was never arrested in any of those five cases filed with HPD.

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