Posted on: Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Deputies to get bullet-proof vests

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Within the next month, all of Hawai'i's more than 250 deputy sheriffs should be fitted with bullet-proof vests.

The Department of Public Safety was given $25,000 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to purchase 250 vests. John Peyton, public safety director, said the vests will arrive in about a month.

Also, the nonprofit United States Deputy Sheriff's Association this week will be donating 40 vests to the department, he said.

The Houston-based group provides training seminars and donates bullet-proof vests, radar units, camcorders, portable breath testers and firearms to law enforcement agencies.

Currently, only sheriffs in the warrants division are required to wear the vests, said department spokesman Mike Gaede. These deputy sheriffs have the dangerous job of "collecting fugitives," he said.

Peyton yesterday was critical of statements made by the head of the union that represents the deputy sheriffs. Hawai'i Government Employees Association executive director Russell Okata said in a press release that the sheriff's association was donating the vests because "the state does not provide" them.

Okata also said many sheriffs have purchased their own vests at about $1,000 each.

Peyton said Okata was wrong when he accused the state of failing to respond to the needs of the deputy sheriffs.

"We have been working diligently to get this federal funding. We will not let the safety of our deputy sheriffs be compromised in any way," Peyton said.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.