The search for Honolulu's 10th police chief will likely last to the end of the year and the Honolulu Police Commission will name an interim chief in August when Boisse P. Correa's contract expires.

On Wednesday, the police commission voted 7-0 to not extend Correa's contract when it expires, saying the city charter requires that it appoint a chief to a five-year term and that Correa did not want to take on that long an obligation. Correa, 63, who took control of the state's largest law enforcement organization in August 2004, had asked to stay on for another year.

"While we would like to have the search completed by the end of August, the realistic time frame may be a bit longer and we may have to identify an interim chief during that process. It is our goal to be complete by the end of the year," said Christine H.H. Camp, chairwoman of the police commission. "Our process may replicate the last search done five years ago or it may be modified to incorporate a few recent issues experienced by the Kaua'i and Maui police commissions. In any event, we are confident that the transition will be orderly and we will be able to find the most qualified candidate befitting of our great city."

The past seven Honolulu police chiefs have all been elevated from the department's own ranks.

This selection process will begin with a review of what has been done in the past, to identify best practices for selecting a chief.

At the next police commission meeting, in June, a selection committee comprising community leaders and commission members will be formed. That committee will do the search and make recommendations to the commission for a final decision.

All applicants will undergo a written assessment, a background check, and several rounds of interviews with the commission and search committee members. The process also includes a simulated disaster or police scenario that the candidates must handle.

In 2004, when Chief Lee Donohue retired, 19 people emerged as candidates.

Given declining city tax revenues and expected cuts to the department's operating budget, the commission is looking for candidates who can formulate and follow through with a five-year strategic financial plan while also maintaining public safety.

Correa remains chief until Aug. 27 and is serving out the final months of a five-year contract that currently pays $136,000 a year. He contends that the commission's decision not to extend his contract was based on politics and had nothing to do with his performance or the length of contract he sought.

Crime in Honolulu is at a 35-year low and Correa recently received a glowing performance evaluation from the commission despite being at constant odds with the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers over an array of issues, including discipline policies and leadership style. The union has been asking the commission to remove Correa since last fall.

The police department did not respond to phone calls or e-mails seeking comment yesterday about who Correa might endorse as his successor.

SHOPO said it does not have a candidate ready to endorse but will wait to review the applicant pool before backing an individual.

"We're waiting to see how the candidates are who will apply for the position," said Tenari R. Maafala, SHOPO president. "The person who has the best interests of the police officers and the community at heart, that's who we'll stand behind and support."

Although no one has formally applied for the job, the candidates include deputy chiefs Paul Putzulu and Karl A. Godsey, assistant chiefs Deborah Tandal, Kevin Lima and Randy Macadangdang, Maj. Kurt B. Kendro, and captains Louis Kealoha and Richard C. Robinson.