Senate confirms Peyton as head of Public Safety

Associated Press

The Senate voted unanimously yesterday to confirm Gov. Linda Lingle's appointment of John F. Peyton Jr. as director of the state Public Safety Department.

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee, had glowing praise for Peyton and his legal and public service background, adding he "without a doubt probably is overqualified for this position."

The veteran federal prosecutor who spent more than 20 years of his career in Honolulu will return to his post as vice president of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils of Bosnia-Herzegovina before coming back to Hawai'i to assume his new job June 30.

James Propotnick will continue to serve as interim director until then.