Silence can be deafening, even when it seems there is little to say.

So although Police Chief Boisse Correa seems to be managing the business of the Honolulu Police Department despite long stretches of injured leave time, that's not the only thing that matters to the officers he leads and the community HPD serves.

With Correa's latest back surgery more than a week ago — his third in two years — Honolulu residents are left with little more information about his condition or prognosis than they've ever had.

And they've been awaiting word for a long time: Since taking the post more than three years ago, Correa has taken 131 days of workers' compensation leave and 56 vacation days, and has been out of the office on 15 city-sponsored trips, according to Police Department records.

Granted, back injuries can be difficult to manage medically, so it's likely that Correa's prognosis isn't entirely clearcut. However, the HPD rank-and-file and the community at large could use more direct communication from the chief about what he does know.

Those statements come rarely — in the past month, the chief did speak to reporters after addressing the Police Commission; more frequently, Correa relays comments through the deputy chief.

Earlier, the chief had been teleconferencing and otherwise managing department affairs from his home, but more recently he has focused on recovery from his injury and, now, the surgery. That's understandable, but added constraints on his performance also compounds the need for information on how long the absence is likely to last.

That absence does have an effect on department morale, and on the community's faith that the helm of the HPD is firmly in hand.