The Hawaiʻi County Police Department announced the promotion of William Derr to the rank of captain, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Derr, a 23-year veteran of the department who has been assigned to the North Kohala District, began his law enforcement career with Ka‘ū Patrol and later served in Puna Patrol. While assigned to patrol, he also worked as a field training officer and, in 2007, was promoted to police officer III and assigned to the Hilo Community Policing Section. He was promoted to sergeant in 2013 and returned to Puna Patrol, where he served until being promoted to lieutenant in 2017 and assigned to Hilo Patrol.

In 2020, Derr became the first lieutenant of Hilo Community Policing Section. Since that time, he has established an extensive network of partnerships and collaborations with county agencies and community groups to expand outreach efforts benefiting keiki and kupuna alike.

HPD Photo