HONOLULU — Seventeen new deputies were added to the Sheriff Division on Friday with a graduation ceremony at the Hawai‘i Okinawa Center. The new deputies will be sent out to work in various positions statewide. Thirteen will be assigned to
HONOLULU — Seventeen new deputies were added to the Sheriff Division on Friday with a graduation ceremony at the Hawai‘i Okinawa Center.
The new deputies will be sent out to work in various positions statewide. Thirteen will be assigned to O‘ahu, three to Hawai‘i County and one to Kaua‘i County.
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, members of the state Legislature, public safety officials and family and friends of the graduates gathered to witness the graduation of the 2012 Sheriff Recruit Class.
“For more than 150 years, Hawai‘i sheriffs have bravely protected our way of life,” Inouye said in his address. “Their dedication to duty and willingness to sacrifice to maintain the safe and stable communities we enjoy is to be commended.”
“Since assuming the role of President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, I have been fortunate to benefit from their experience and expertise each time I come home to Hawai‘i,” he added. “It is an honor to participate in this important ceremony.”
Hawai‘i Sen. Will Espero emphasized the need for more applicants to the Sheriff Division. He said more training and education would be provided.
“These new recruits must have the skills and know-how to be the best law enforcement agency in the state,” Espero said.
The new deputies were presented with graduation certificates, followed by the Oath of Office and badge presentation.
The recruits were trained in nearly 1,000 hours of academic instruction in laws and procedures. There was constant testing and additional work in police tactics and physical fitness training.
Student awards for Top Gun, Physical Fitness, Leadership and Academic Average were also handed out to the recruits who ranked at the top of their class in those areas.
“The Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division welcomes 17 new deputy sheriffs to our family,” said State Sheriff Shawn Tsuha.
The Sheriff Division carries out government law enforcement services for statewide and at the Honolulu International Airport. Its mission is to preserve the peace by protecting all persons and property within the judiciary and state facilities.
