The state Senate Public Safety Committee voted unanimously yesterday to recommend Clayton Frank as director of the state Department of Public Safety, finding that he has the experience necessary to bring stability to the department.

The vote was 4 to 0. The full Senate is expected to confirm Frank tomorrow.

Gov. Linda Lingle nominated Frank, a 26-year veteran of the department, after the Senate last session rejected Iwalani White after eight months as interim director. The department has had a succession of directors over the past several years.

State Sen. Will Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu), the chairman of the committee, said Frank had the support of his colleagues in the department. He also said Frank had expressed regret for actions that led to a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the department in the 1990s. The state paid a nearly $2 million settlement to women at the department who claimed Frank and other high-ranking officials had discriminated against them.

Espero said the committee would work closely with the department on several issues, including a proposal to return female inmates now being housed on the Mainland. "We are committed to improving our prison system," he said.

Frank told reporters afterward that he was encouraged by the support. He said he understood the concerns of people who opposed his nomination because of the lawsuit.

"What I'm trying to do is help build the department up again and work in a positive manner and bring everybody aboard and head in the same direction," he said.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.