Police union leader to retire hours after eligible, citing lack of incentives, burnout

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Another veteran Honolulu police officer is calling it quits right as he hits the 25-year mark.

The announcement by Robert “Bobby” Cavaco highlights the need to retain retirement-eligible officers.

Cavaco said he would have stayed if recent proposed incentives for veteran officers passed the Legislature.

Cavaco is an HPD lieutenant on Oahu’s west side. He is also the president of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO).

His departure is an example of why the vacancy rate continues to climb at HPD. Every month a handful of veteran officers walk away.

“That’s the going consensus right now. ‘Hey, when I reach 25 (years), I’m out,’” Cavaco said.

HPD has 2,177 uniform positions budgeted. Currently, there are 1,712 officers, which puts the vacancy number at 465.

Staffing shortfalls mean longer response times and less services for the public.

“I’m predicting we’re going to be at 500 (vacancies) by the end of the year, because I know there’s a bunch of officers that are just waiting,” said Cavaco.

Lawmakers approved bonuses of $25,000 for new recruits, divided over several years, but for veteran officers, there is no new incentive to stay.

A program called DROP, the Deferred Retirement Options Program, died in the Legislature. It would have given officers a pension bonus for staying up to five additional years.

Cavaco said he would not be retiring if DROP went into effect.

Another incentive option would be annual bonuses for officers with more than 25 years, which is the minimum for full retirement.

“It’s expensive to live in Hawaii,” Cavaco said.

Cavaco said financial bonuses matter, especially since HPD has given back unspent money to the city.

Over five years, that amounted to more than $110 million; money that could have been used for retention programs.

Cavaco said officers can take their retirement benefits and work in the private sector.

If more money is offered, Cavaco said a lot of experienced policemen and women would stay longer.

Cavaco called retirement “bittersweet.”

He said he is burned out doing 13-hour shifts plus union duties, but loves policework and serving the public.

His last day is Aug. 31. He will be working in the private sector starting in September.