Report Title:

Report on Enhancing Law Enforcement and Public Safety

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

68

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

establishing a task force to improve the EFFICIENCY of law enforcement and public safety agencies.

 

WHEREAS, ensuring the safety and welfare of the public is a primary responsibility of State government; and

WHEREAS, proactive preparedness and expeditious response to distressful situations by state law enforcement and public safety agencies is key to safeguarding the security of the public, including visitors to State; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is establishing itself as a preferable forum for national and international conferences, concerts, and other events that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Hawaii each year; and

WHEREAS, state law enforcement and public safety agencies need to enhance their preparation and improve their efficiency to quickly respond and suppress domestic and international threats; and

WHEREAS, state law enforcement and public safety agencies need to develop consistent policies, create clear interagency protocols, and facilitate interagency communication to improve efficiency and ensure public safety; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that a law enforcement and public safety efficiency task force is created within and headed by the Department of Public Safety for administrative purposes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the law enforcement and public safety efficiency task force membership shall include a representative from each of the following: Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of the Attorney General, Department of Accounting and General Services, each county police department, each county police commission, and any other appropriate state law enforcement agency chosen by the Director of Public Safety; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the law enforcement and public safety efficiency task force shall:

(1) Identify all state and federal law enforcement agencies and their responsibilities;

(2) Explore and assess:

(A) Ways to enhance, integrate, and improve county, state, and federal communication systems;

(B) The possibility of developing a state law enforcement training academy to assure that state law enforcement officers are well trained;

(C) The establishment of a joint state and county law enforcement training academy;

(D) The establishment of a commission to coordinate the work of state law enforcement agencies; and

(E) Any other ideas that would make state law enforcement more proactive, efficient, effective, and responsive to public safety concerns and issues; and

(3) Examine appointed positions within state law enforcement and make recommendations regarding converting positions to civil service status;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature by November 1, 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Public Safety, Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Comptroller, Attorney General, the respective police chiefs of the county police departments, and the respective chairs of each county police commission.