DPS: Eight Deputies Join State Sheriff Ranks

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On Friday, eight new Deputy Sheriffs graduated as part of the Law Enforcement Recruit Class 15-01 for Deputy Sheriffs at the Hawai’i Okinawa Center.

Two of the sworn in sheriffs will be assigned roles in Kona. The additional six will be assigned roles on Oahu.

The new deputies were presented with graduation certificates, followed by the recitation of the Oath of Duty and the badge presentation.

“These individuals took a solemn oath to serve and protect the people of Hawai’i with professionalism, integrity and fairness,” said State Sheriff Renee Sonobe Hong. “Over the past six months, they worked hard to develop the knowledge, tactical skills, and physical conditioning to prepare them to carry out law enforcement services statewide.  I want to congratulate them for all their hard work and for a job well done.”

Each of the recruits were trained in almost 1,000 hours of academic instruction in laws and procedures, constant testing, training in physical fitness, and police tactics.

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The class of eight also included two law enforcement representatives from the United States Coast Guard and the United States Army, which is part of an outreach program that partners with military police based in the state.

Maritime Enforcement Specialist Bryan Kelly, stationed with the USCG Base Honolulu, and Army Sergeant Alex Kehler, a military police officer with the 558^th MP Company out of Schofield Barracks, were honored with a certificate of completion. Both individuals were chosen by the chain of command to attend the academy.

In addition, 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 Sheriffs Division carries out law enforcement services across the state.  Its mission is to promote public safety 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.