Army Staff Sgt Stefani Rowland receiving her certificate (Photo courtesy of State Sheriff Division).

MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, members of the Legislature, public safety officials, family and friends gathered Friday, Aug. 24 in Waipio to witness the graduation of the 2012 Sheriff Recruit Class at the Hawaii Okinawa Center.

Seventeen new deputies were added to the Sheriff Division.

“For more than 150 years, Hawaii Sheriffs have bravely protected our way of life. Their dedication to duty and willingness to sacrifice to maintain the safe and stable communities we enjoy is to be commended,” Inouye said. “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 Hawaii. It is an honor to participate in this important ceremony.”

Hawaii State Senator Will Espero emphasized the need for more applicants to the Sheriff Division.

“I look forward to working with our Sheriff’s Division to provide more training and education,” Espero said. “These new recruits must have the skills and know-how to be the best law enforcement agency in the state.”

The 17 new deputies were presented with graduation certificates, followed by the Oath of Office and badge presentation.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Stefani Rowland was also honored with a certificate of attendance. In an outreach program that maintains a partnership with Military Police based in Hawaii, Staff Sergeant Rowland, assigned to the 8th Military Police Brigade, 728th Military Police Battalion was selected by her chain of command to attend the Sheriff Recruit Academy.

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

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 new Deputies will be sent out to work in various positions statewide. Thirteen will be assigned to Oahu, three to Hawaii County, and one on Kauai County.

“The Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division welcomes 17 new Deputy Sheriffs to our family and we also want to congratulate U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Rowland for her completion of our academy,” said State Sheriff Shawn Tsuha. “We look forward to our renewed partnership with military law enforcement in Hawaii.”

The Sheriff Division 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.