The Associated Press
HONOLULU- The former Maryland police chief who headed the Washington-area sniper manhunt three years ago graduated as one of 40 new Honolulu police recruits.
Charles Moose, 53, will hit the streets for patrol duty Monday morning alongside a police veteran. He graduated from the academy on Thursday.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve worked the street ... but it’s exactly what I want to do over the next several years,” he said.
Moose led the task force that investigated the three-week shooting spree that left 10 people dead and terrorized the Washington area in 2002. John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo were arrested. Muhammad was sentenced to death; Malvo was ordered to serve life in prison.
Moose resigned as Montgomery County police chief in 2003 amid criticism that he was improperly cashing in by writing a book about the sniper case. He now lives in West Oahu.
Everyone entering the Honolulu department must start as a recruit.
“The physical part was very challenging, but I actually got better,” Moose said. “It got an old guy into shape.
Moose was one of the most experienced and highly educated members of his class. He holds a bachelor’s degree in U.S. history, a master’s in public administration and a doctorate in urban studies and criminology, and also graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Fellow recruit Kawika Hosea, 26, said Moose “had a lot of insights and gave a lot of words of encouragement in the down moments.”