STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1181

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 491

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 491, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Public Safety to seek and obtain accreditation for the Sheriff Division from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

 

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from Robin Nagamine, Lieutenant, Sheriff Division, Department of Public Safety; Lt. Michael Oakland, Commander, Airport Patrol Section, Sheriff Division, Department of Public Safety; and twelve individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Sheriff Division of the Department of Public Safety shoulders responsibilities that are integral to preserving the public peace and safety.  A management audit of the Sheriff Division conducted pursuant to Act 162, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009 and House Concurrent Resolution No. 92, H.D. 1 (2009), found, among other things, that the Sheriff Division is bereft of the training and equipment necessary to fulfill its mission.  The audit made a number of recommendations including that the Department of Public Safety seek accreditation for the Sheriff Division from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., to ensure that proper law enforcement policies and procedures are enacted and followed.

 

     Your Committee further finds that by requiring the Department of Public Safety to pursue and obtain accreditation for the Sherriff Division, the Department will have to adopt policies and procedures that address long-standing issues regarding administration, personnel management, including training, and operations.  This will improve performance, foster community and staff confidence in the Sheriff Division, and improve public safety.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2117, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 491, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 491, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair