New sheriffs graduate unarmed

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Twenty-three state sheriffs who will graduate today will be without pistols because of a delay in the purchase order, but the problem could be resolved this week or next week, officials said.

Sidney Hayakawa, deputy director for law enforcement for the state Department of Public Safety, said the state ordered 70 guns on April 19 and were told the 9 mm pistols would arrive in three months.

"At this point, they don't have any weapons," Hayakawa said.

The sheriffs will be assigned administrative duties until they receive their firearms, Hayakawa said. Once equipped with guns, 10 sheriffs will be assigned to the airport and others to district and circuit courts, he said.

Hayakawa said officials are working on finding solutions to the pistol shortage that could be resolved in the next few weeks. Hayakawa said no local vendor has that many guns available for sale.

Hayakawa said the state Department of Public Safety, which oversees the sheriffs, is under contract with the state Department of Transportation. The Transportation Department wanted the Department of Public Safety to clear its outstanding expenditures before equipment purchases were made. The Department of Public Safety cleared those expenses and ordered the guns in April, he said.