HI HB144

Establishes a new office of the sheriff within the department of the attorney general, consisting of a sheriff, first deputy sheriff, and additional deputies as needed.

Grants sheriffs and deputy sheriffs all powers of police officers, including arrest authority, and assigns them responsibility for service of process and execution of court orders.

Transfers all functions, authority, personnel, and property related to service of process and execution of court orders from the department of public safety to the department of the attorney general, effective January 1, 2012.

Sheriffs are appointed and removed at the pleasure of the attorney general without regard to civil service requirements, but remain eligible for state employee benefit programs.

Exempts Kalawao county sheriff from most provisions of the new law, except those relating to service of process and execution of court orders.