A Change of Command ceremony was held last Thursday at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, where Police Chief Todd Raybuck officially transferred leadership of the Kaua‘i Police Department to Interim Police Chief Elliott Kalani Ke. Chief Raybuck had served in the role since 2019, as reported by the County of Kauai.
The ceremony was attended by department personnel, local officials, and community members. Outgoing Chief Raybuck said, "Serving as Kaua‘i’s Police Chief has been the greatest honor of my professional career." Former Chief Michael Contrades, speaking on behalf of Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, said, "Chief Raybuck’s tenure was marked by tremendous progress in modernizing the department, strengthening training programs, and embracing new ways of connecting with both technology and youth," according to the County of Kauai.
Elliott Kalani Ke was named Interim Chief of the Kaua‘i Police Department. He has been with the department since 1999 and is a native of Kaua‘i. In his first public address, Ke said, "I am humbled and honored to take on this responsibility," and added, "My priority is to continue to provide the highest level of service to our Kaua‘i community and the island we call home." Former Chief Contrades noted Ke’s understanding of the island. Mayor Kawakami, who could not attend, stated, "On behalf of the County of Kaua‘i, we thank Chief Raybuck for his outstanding service and congratulate Chief Ke as he steps into this vital role with strength and humility," as mentioned by the County of Kauai.
