The Sheriff Division of the Hawaii Department of Public Safety
carries out law enforcement services statewide. Its mission is
to preserve the peace by protecting all persons and property within
premises under the control of the Judiciary and all State facilities;
providing process services and execution of court documents; handling
detained persons; and providing secure transportation for persons
in custody.
It also provides law enforcement services at the Honolulu International
Airport. Sheriffs are involved at various stages of the criminal
justice system. At the initial stage, they arrest, book and process
persons entering the system.
At the police cellblock, they secure, escort and transport detainees.
They escort, secure and transport juvenile and adult inmates to
inter-island and intra-state destinations for court appearances.
They serve various types of arrest warrants and other documents,
and execute writs of possession.
Deputy sheriffs conduct criminal and civil investigations on
cases that occur within the jurisdiction of State entities. They
also conduct records verification and background checks. The Division
is the lead agency of the State Law Enforcement Coalition, which
was formed to meet the mandates of the federal Homeland Security
Act. The coalition implements federal guidelines on issues related
to weapons of mass destruction. With the heightened call for the
security of waterways and harbors, the Division has been assisting
the Department of Transportation Harbors Division with security
and law enforcement functions.
Additionally, through its specialized canine unit, the Division
is responsible for detecting narcotics and explosives in agencies
within the Judiciary, the department's correctional facilities,
and other state and county agencies that request those services.
Sheriffs also provide security services to the Maui Memorial Hospital,
Hawaii State Hospital, Waimano Training School and Hospital, and
Fort Ruger at the Department of Defense. They provide executive
protection services to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and,
when requested, national and international dignitaries.
Although the functions and duties of deputy sheriffs vary in
scope and nature, all Sheriff Division staff work in conjunction
with other federal, state, and county law enforcement agencies
to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all citizens
in the State of Hawaii.