Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2005

Bill would put sheriffs under AG

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would transfer law enforcement and security functions of the Department of Public Safety to the state attorney general's office.

"It's an attempt to consolidate (state) law enforcement, and I think it will provide better structure and organization," First Deputy Sheriff F. "Cappy" Caminos said of Senate Bill 709, which is part of Gov. Linda Lingle's legislative package. "Personally, I think it's good."

The transfer would place 300 to 330 deputy sheriffs and clerical staff under state Attorney General Mark Bennett. The deputies would continue to provide security at state buildings, including the courts; maintain the court cellblocks; do prisoner transfers; and serve warrants in addition to assisting state investigators in enforcement, said Caminos.

"It will professionalize the state's law enforcement efforts, and putting everything under one roof will make it more efficient," said Donald Wong, the attorney general's chief investigator. "What it also will do is offer a career ladder (to deputies who may want to become investigators). It has the support of the union (HGEA) and majority of the rank and file."

The bill also calls for the Department of Public Safety to become the Department of Corrections, which would be responsible for all adult corrections and intake centers. The Hawai'i Paroling Authority and crime victims compensation commission also would come under the Corrections Department.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.