Posted on: Tuesday, September 24, 2002

HPD oath will drop 'so help me God'

Advertiser Staff

The Honolulu Police Department will take the words "so help me God" out of its oath used to swear in new police recruits.

The Hawai'i Citizens for the Separation of State and Church filed a complaint earlier this month. Mitchell Kahle, president of the citizens' group, says the police department should follow the state constitution, which spells out an oath of office that doesn't contain the word "God."

Police chief Lee Donohue in a written statement yesterday said that the department will use the oath of office printed in the state constitution for the graduation ceremony.

The 141st recruit class is scheduled to graduate on Oct. 1 at the Hawai'i Okinawa Center.