Served from 1941 to 1945

During the 1930’s, Japanese military aggression had spread in the Pacific and was heading toward Honolulu. In response, Major Douglas Granville King, a Honolulu resident, who retired from the British military, met with Chief William Gabrielson to propose forming a contingent of civilian volunteer officers to augment the Honolulu Police Department. In June of 1941, the Honolulu Police Commission approved the formation of the Emergency Reserve Officers, Major King became the program’s first commander.

On July 28, 1941, the program was officially commenced and on November 23, 1941, 124 Emergency Reserve Officers were commissioned with full police authority. When the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Emergency Reserve Officers were called into service that day and worked a 24-hour shift. For the next 16 days, they patrolled 8-10 hours a day. 

Chief Gabrielson then appointed Major King to Assistant Chief of Emergency Reserve Officers. He now dedicated all his efforts in the training and supervision of the Emergency Reserve Officers. 

When the Emergency Reserve Officers were deactivated on October 13, 1945, 398 volunteers had served. A month later, based on its success the program was reactivated to form what is now known as the Honolulu Police Department Reserve Officers Program. 

Inducted May 19, 2016