HONOLULU – Effective January 1st, Hawaii bids farewell to the Department of Public Safety, undergoing a restructuring that places inmate management under the purview of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Simultaneously, the handling of state patrols, criminal investigations, and prosecutions now falls within the domain of the newly established Department of Law Enforcement.
The consolidation involves state officers, investigators, and support staff from various entities, including the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Transportation, and the former Department of Public Safety’s Narcotics Enforcement Division and Sheriff Division, amalgamating into a unified force headquartered in Kakaako.
In an exclusive interview with HNN, Law Enforcement Director Jordan Lowe and Deputy Director Jared Redulla outlined their innovative approach to combating crime.
Redulla emphasized the transformation into a comprehensive state law enforcement agency, saying, “We are now essentially a super agency in state law enforcement where we took all these talents and resources from the previous agencies and combine them now into one.”
The separation from the Corrections component of the former Department of Public Safety eliminates resource competition, allowing for more streamlined operations and enhanced professionalism. Redulla explained, “With standardized systems, standardized training. Our officers are able to serve the public better, more professionally.”
The overarching goal is to expedite crime resolution and improve accountability through consistent policies and leadership under Director Lowe. Redulla noted, “I can look at these people face to face with evidence that our hands, and we can strategize on how we’re going to investigate a case, how we’re going to prosecute a case.”
Addressing concerns about potential shortages, Redulla affirmed the commitment of the team, stating, “Despite perceptions of being light on crime or not having enough officers, the people that work here are going to be out there still doing their job, and committed to making sure that we keep the community safe.”
The Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) is actively recruiting to achieve its target workforce of over 400 employees. In response to police shortages nationwide, DLE is exploring incentives and utilizing 89-day hires to address staffing gaps, drawing on their expertise to train other staff and contribute to crime-solving efforts.
Acknowledging the likelihood of challenges, Redulla expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to learn and grow, stating, “Like in any industry, any business, there’s going to be mistakes. There are gonna be times when we trip. But if we learn from that, if we rebound from that, and we continue to provide professional service to the public, pursuing excellence in what we do … we can all grow.”
“We’re all in this together,” added Redulla. “The job is a calling. It’s a special kind of work that we do, and you got to be done for it. You got to be down.”