HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu’s interim chief of police says assaults on police officers are on the rise and calls the trend “deeply concerning.”

According to the Honolulu Police Department, assaults on police officers rose 20% from January through October compared to the same time last year.

Within the past week alone, police arrested two suspects in separate cases of alleged assaults on officers.

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“Assaults on officers are a complex issue driven by multiple factors — including mental health crises, substance abuse and increased confrontational behavior,” said interim Chief Rade Vanic.

Police said these assaults commonly happen during routine responses, including domestic incidents, in

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