It's an exciting time for newly appointed Police Chief Louis Kealoha, but a stressful one, too.

Considering the fiscal crunch that looms for the Honolulu Police Department, as for any city agency, the first actions his administration must make are unlikely to spark celebrations.

So it's fortunate the Police Commission has selected someone endowed with goodwill from the rank and file, as well as some solid experience on the force and top-level academic training on which to draw.

Wednesday's quick decision came as a relief, following an uproar over selection procedures that threatened to prolong the process needlessly. The commission should have anticipated contingencies early on by first outlining the options for expanding the finalist list beyond the top four candidates chosen by its selection committee. The commission should have such options as long as they rationally advance the top scorers.

That refinement should be made next time.

For now, there is no reason to question the commission's choice, despite the City Council's ridiculous attempt to stir the pot. It's time to move on.

Kealoha rightly has signaled a desire to improve police morale. He's vowed to reconsider management decisions of the past that caused some in-house strife, including a move away from popular thrice weekly 12-hour shifts. He needs to do so with a clear-headed review, informed by the front line as well as supervisors, on the pros and cons of scheduling options.

But the needs of the public should remain the paramount concern and the primary basis for the decision. At a time when budgets and staffing will be tight, the department must run efficiently to ensure the greatest provision for public safety.

And the people of Honolulu will best be served by a police force that operates transparently and with as much responsiveness to public input as possible.

Kealoha can, and should, advance these goals in his role as police chief and public leader.