Hawaii Department of Public Safety#Sheriff Division

{{short description|American law enforcement agency}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox law enforcement agency

| agencyname = Hawaii Department of Public Safety

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| abbreviation = DPS

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| patch = HI - DPS Corrections.png

| patchcaption = Patch of the Correction Division

| logo = Hawaii Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division.jpg

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| dissolved = December 31, 2023

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| employees = 2,263 (as of 2006)

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| country = United States of America

| countryabbr = U.S.

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| divtype = U.S. state{{!}}State

| divname = Hawaii

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| sizearea = {{convert|10931|sqmi|km2}}

| sizepopulation = 1,283,388 (2007 est.){{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html |title=Population Estimates |access-date=2017-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807105933/http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-ann-est.html |archive-date=2010-08-07 |url-status=dead }}

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| headquarters = Honolulu, Hawaii

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| sworntype = Deputy Sheriffs
Narcotics Enforcement Agent

| sworn = 300 (authorised, as of 2022){{cite web | url=https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/hawaii-sheriffs-division-recruiting-for-new-statewide-police-force/ | title=Hawaii Sheriff's Division Recruiting Prior to New Statewide Police Force | date=8 November 2022 }}

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| stationtype = Prison

| stations = 4

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| lockuptype = Jail

| lockups = 4

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| website = https://dps.hawaii.gov/

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The Hawaii Department of Public Safety was a department within the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It was headquartered in the 919 Ala Moana Boulevard building in Honolulu, Hawaii.{{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/ |title=Department of Public Safety |author= |date=May 4, 2020 |website=dps.hawaii.gov |publisher=State of Hawaii |access-date=May 4, 2020 |quote=919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96814, (808) 587-1288 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414111802/https://dps.hawaii.gov/ |archive-date=April 14, 2020}} At the time of its deactivation, the Department of Public Safety was made up of three divisions: Administration, Corrections, and Law Enforcement.

Pursuant to the Hawaii Bill HB 2171, the Department of Public Safety was deactivated on December 31, 2023 and its personnel, duties, and functions were transferred to two new separate departments: the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement. Per the bill, the Hawaii State Legislature found that the goals and functions of corrections and law enforcement are different and distinct and separating the functions of corrections and law enforcement from the department of public safety into two separate departments would best accomplish the discrete goals and objectives of both functions.{{cite web | url=https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2022/bills/HB2171_.htm | title=Hawaii Bill HB2127 | work=State of Hawaii | publisher=(capitol.hawaii.gov) | access-date=January 4, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104025735/https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2022/bills/HB2171_.htm | archive-date=January 4, 2024}}{{PD-notice}}

Divisions

= Administration Division =

The Administration Division provides support services that enable the corrections staff to fulfill their responsibilities. Some of these services include training and staff development, fiscal and personnel management, management of the operating budget and capital improvements program budget, procurement, and management information systems and research.{{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/administration/ |title=Department of Public Safety }}

= Corrections Division =

{{see also|List of Hawaii state prisons}}

== Prisons ==

The Corrections Division oversees four prisons. Three of the prisons are located on the island of Oahu and one on the island of Hawaii.{{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/corrections/ |title=Department of Public Safety }} They include:

  • Halawa Correctional Facility
  • Waiawa Correctional Facility{{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/wc/ |title=Waiawa Correctional Facility |author= |date=May 4, 2020 |website=dps.hawaii.gov |publisher=Hawaii Department of Public Safety |access-date=May 4, 2020 |quote=The Waiawa Correctional Facility (WCF) is a 334-bed, minimum-security prison for sentenced male inmates. WCF provides an environment that helps inmates successfully re-enter the community from prison. All inmates participate in education or substance abuse treatment programs. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216225623/http://dps.hawaii.gov/wc/ |archive-date=February 16, 2020}}
  • Women's Community Correctional Center{{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/wccc/ |title=Women's Community Correctional Center |author= |date=May 4, 2020 |website=dps.hawaii.gov |publisher=Hawaii Department of Public Safety |access-date=May 4, 2020 |quote=WCCC is the only women’s prison in Hawaii. It also serves the needs of pre-trial and sentenced female offenders. The facility houses female offenders who are of maximum, medium and minimum custody levels. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028140350/http://dps.hawaii.gov/wccc/ |archive-date=October 28, 2019}}
  • Kulani Correctional Facility in Hawaii County, on the island of Hawaii, which was closed in 2009 {{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/corrections/about-corrections/kcf/ |title=Kulani Correctional Facility |author= |date=May 4, 2020 |website=dps.hawaii.gov |publisher=Hawaii Department of Public Safety |access-date=May 4, 2020 |quote=Kulani Correctional Facility (KCF) is a 200-bed minimum security prison located on the slope of Mauna Loa, approximately 20 miles south east of Hilo, Big Island of Hawai’i. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410150102/https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/corrections/about-corrections/kcf/ |archive-date=April 10, 2020}}"[http://hawaii.gov/gov/news/files/2009/july/psd-to-close-kulani-prison-facility-to-help-at-risk-youth Closure of Kulani Saves $2.8M Annually; Facility to Help At-Risk Youth]." Hawaii Department of Public Safety. July 2009. Retrieved on September 30, 2010. and reopened in 2014

== Private prisons ==

In 1995 the State of Hawaii began contracting with prisons outside of Hawaii to house prisoners from Hawaii.{{cite news |last=Kakesako |first=Gregg K. |date=September 4, 2010 |title=Third Hawaii inmate faces death penalty in Arizona |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20100904_third_hawaii_inmate_faces_death_penalty_in_arizona.html |url-status=live |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504143206/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2010/09/04/hawaii-news/third-hawaii-inmate-faces-death-penalty-in-arizona/ |archive-date=May 4, 2020 |access-date=May 3, 2020 }} The criteria for sending inmates to private prisons on the mainland include a minimum sentence of 24 months, a lack of pending criminal cases in Hawaii, and a lack of major health and medical issues. Attorney Daphne Barbee said that she had clients with cases pending who were sent to the mainland anyway.McNarie, Alan D. "[http://honoluluweekly.com/feature/2010/05/death-detention-and-dollars/ Death, detention and dollars]." Honolulu Weekly. May 19, 2010. Retrieved on September 30, 2010. According to Kevin Dayton of the Honolulu Advertiser, some inmates prefer to stay on the mainland for superior educational programs, drug treatment programs, and other programs that a prisoner would complete before being considered for parole. Other prisoners, particularly those with young children and families, prefer to stay in Hawaii.Dayton, Kevin. "[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/palm/2007/Jun/26/ln/FP706260336.html Arizona prison will house Hawaii inmates]." The Honolulu Advertiser. Tuesday June 26, 2007. Retrieved on September 30, 2010.

The Mainland Section initially contracted with three facilities, one in Kentucky and two in Arizona, to house prisoners sentenced in Hawaii.{{cite web|url=http://hawaii.gov/psd/administration/publications/annual-reports/department-of-public-safety/PSD-AnnualReport2007.pdf|title=Department of Public Safety}}

The Kentucky prison, Otter Creek Correctional Center, was a designated women's prison run by Corrections Corporation of America. After numerous reports of prison staff sexually abusing inmates, Hawaii brought its prisoners home from the facility in August 2009. CCA closed the facility in 2013.[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/us/26kentucky.html Ian Urbina, "Hawaii to Remove Inmates Over Abuse Charges], New York Times, August 25, 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2015.

The state also removed its prisoners from CCA's Red Rock Correctional Center in Arizona in 2014.{{cite web|title=Riot at Red Rock Correctional Facility in Arizona Under Investigation|url=http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com/2010/12/riot-at-red-rock-correctional-facility.html|website=California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Today|access-date=12 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013101549/http://cdcrtoday.blogspot.com/2010/12/riot-at-red-rock-correctional-facility.html|archive-date=13 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

About 1,900 male Hawaii state inmates are held at CCA's Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. This represents the majority of Hawaii's male inmate population."[http://hawaii.gov/psd/corrections/institutions-division/prisons/halawa-correctional-facility Halawa Correctional Facility]." Hawaii Department of Public Safety. Retrieved on May 19, 2010.Brady, Kat. "[http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorials/20100618_Using_private_prisons_costs_more_than_it_seems.html Using private prisons costs more than it seems]." (editorial) Honolulu Star Advertiser. June 18, 2010. Retrieved on September 29, 2010."[http://www.correctionscorp.com/facility/saguaro-correctional-center/ Saguaro Correctional Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925113700/http://correctionscorp.com/facility/saguaro-correctional-center/ |date=2010-09-25 }}." Corrections Corporation of America. Retrieved on September 30, 2010.

== Jails ==

Hawaii is one of six states in the United States that operates its jails at the state level. In most states jails are the responsibility of county and county-equivalent governments. The Hawaii Department of Public Safety is responsible for four jails: one on each of the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.

= Law Enforcement Division =

== Narcotics Enforcement Division ==

The Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED) serves and protects the public by enforcing laws relating to controlled substances and regulated chemicals. They are responsible for the registration and control of the manufacture, distribution, prescription, and dispensing of controlled substances and precursor or essential chemicals within the state.{{cite web |url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/law-enforcement-division/ |title=Department of Public Safety - Law Enforcement Division |author= |date=May 4, 2020 |website=dps.hawaii.gov |publisher=State of Hawaii |access-date=May 4, 2020 }}

== Sheriff Division ==

File:Hawaii State Sheriff Division Crown Victoria (2021).jpg

The Sheriff Division carries out law enforcement services statewide. Its mission is to preserve the peace by protecting all persons and property within premises under the control of the judiciary and all state facilities; providing process services and execution of court documents; handling detained persons; and providing secure transportation for persons in custody. It also provides law enforcement services at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. They also serve various types of arrest warrants and other documents, and execute writs of possession. Deputy sheriffs conduct criminal and civil investigations on cases that occur within the jurisdiction of state entities. They also conduct records verification and background checks. Additionally, through its specialized canine unit, the division is responsible for detecting narcotics and explosives in agencies within the judiciary, the department's correctional facilities, and other state and county agencies that request those services.{{cite web|url=https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/law-enforcement-division/sheriff-division/|title=Department of Public Safety, Sheriff Division|work=dps.hawaii.gov|accessdate=July 26, 2022}}

Sheriffs provide security services to the Maui Memorial Hospital, Hawaii State Hospital, Waimano Training School and Hospital, and Fort Ruger at the Department of Defense. They also provide executive protection services to the governor, lieutenant governor and, when requested, national and international dignitaries.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Hawaii Department of Public Safety, two officers have been killed.{{cite web |url=https://www.odmp.org/agency/5457-hawaii-department-of-public-safety-sheriff-division-hawaii |title=Hawaii Department of Public Safety - Sheriff Division, Hawaii, Fallen Officers |author= |date=May 4, 2020 |website=odmp.org |publisher=Officer Down Memorial Page |access-date=May 4, 2020 |quote=Line of Duty Deaths: 2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504153851/https://www.odmp.org/agency/5457-hawaii-department-of-public-safety-sheriff-division-hawaii |archive-date=May 4, 2020}}

class="wikitable"

! Rank

! Name

! Date of death

! Cause of death

! Age

! Location

Deputy SheriffDaniel Browne-Sanchez02-10-2007Shot while trying to subdue an armed robbery suspect{{cite news |last=Dooley |first=Jim |date=February 10, 2007 |title=Hawaii man convicted of murdering deputy |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Nov/07/ln/hawaii711070385.html |url-status=live |work=Honolulu Advertiser |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522034449/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Nov/07/ln/hawaii711070385.html |archive-date=May 22, 2008 |access-date=May 4, 2020 }}27Osake Sushi Bar and Lounge
OfficerThad Fumio Sugai12-20-1983Shot and killed after responding to a call of an insane and naked man harassing visitors; the man stole his service pistol and shot him26Diamond Head Crater

Controversies

In April 2016, Hawaii news media outlet Hawaii News Now reported that fifteen deputy sheriffs employed by the department, including some high-ranking officials within the division, had not yet received basic law enforcement training, despite some of them having been employed as sheriffs for more than two decades. According to the report, sources indicated that the lack of training "had led to some cases getting 'fouled up.'"{{cite news |title=EXCLUSIVE: 15 deputy sheriffs headed to class because they lack initial law enforcement training |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/31673131/exclusive-senior-sheriffs-deputies-headed-back-to-class-because-they-lack-initial-training/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |work=Hawaii News Now |date=April 7, 2016}}{{cite news |last=Jung |first=Yoohyun |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Top Hawaii Sheriff Officials Lacked Basic Training For Decades |url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/09/top-hawaii-sheriff-officials-lacked-basic-training-for-decades/#:~:text=Three%20years%20after%20news%20reports,releases%20records%20confirming%20the%20lapse. |work=Civil Beat |access-date=July 1, 2020 }}

On April 11, 2019, Hawaii News Now reported that Department of Public Safety administrator Joveta Marte Martinez had repeatedly lied about receiving degrees from Southern Oregon State College (now called Southern Oregon University) and Saint Joseph's College of Maine.{{cite news |last=Kawano |first=Lynn |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Administrator in charge of DPS training programs accused of lying on her resume |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/04/12/espinda-deputy-charge-dps-training-programs-accused-lying-her-resume/ |url-status=live |work=Hawaii News Now |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504195811/https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/04/12/espinda-deputy-charge-dps-training-programs-accused-lying-her-resume/ |archive-date=May 4, 2020 }}

See also

References