HB 492 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 353C-2 to change director of public safety duties from permissive ("may") to mandatory ("shall") for core law enforcement functions including preserving peace, preventing crime, training officers, serving process, and adopting necessary rules.

• Requires Department of Public Safety to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan to address deficiencies identified in Auditor Report No. 10-06 (June 2010), including pursuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

• Mandates correction of sheriff division warrant process inefficiencies, including reducing warrant backlogs, improving radio communications systems, and relocating the receiving desk from Halawa correctional facility.

• Requires risk assessments of each sheriff division section and development of internal controls following the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations framework to ensure operational effectiveness.

• Directs Department of Public Safety to submit a comprehensive report to the legislature no later than 20 days before the 2012 regular session detailing corrective actions, strategic plan, cost allocations, statutory amendment recommendations, and performance measurement processes.