HONOLULU -- Members of the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday morning questioned Honolulu Police Commission Chairwoman Christine Camp about the controversial selection of finalists for the city's new police chief.

Council members wanted to ask Camp questions about why she asked a selection committee to expand the number of finalists for Honolulu Police Department chief from four to six.

Camp pointed out that there was controversy when the University of Hawaii search for a new president did not have what critics said were enough final candidates.

"We have been following our procedures," Camp said. "We are ready to make a decision this afternoon."

A mainland consultant graded and ranked the candidates. The contract included up to four to six candidates, Camp said.

Camp said she wanted to give the commissioners a wider pool to choose from. The previous four police chiefs had been chosen from a group of four finalists.

Camp said the controversy began when a commission employee informed the candidates who were initially selected and not chosen by the selection committee. She said she asked that the committee expand the finalist candidates.

"There is a perception out there that I as a woman would want a woman candidate added as a finalist," Camp said. "It would go against everything I believe in as a woman to advance someone just because of her gender."

One of the added finalists has been reported to be Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's preferred choice.

"Do you think this has been handled well?" Councilman Charles Djou said.

"I will be the first to say that this has been handled above board," Camp said.

Camp blamed the media for stirring the controversy.

"This controversy is really not a controversy," Camp said.

Four of the finalists come from within the Honolulu Police Department, including acting Honolulu Police Chief Paul Putzulu; Assistant Chief Delbert Tatsuyama, who oversees the department's administrative bureau; Capt. Louis Kealoha, of the juvenile services division; and Assistant Chief Debora Tandal, who heads HPD's support services bureau.

The two finalists from outside of Hawaii are Cmdr. Gary Yamashiroya of the Chicago Police Department with more than 20 years on the force and Cmdr. Harry Markely from the city of Phoenix Police Department. Markely is a graduate of Hawaii Loa College, which is now Hawaii Pacific University.

The official announcement on the new chief is scheduled for the afternoon.