HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Questions are being raised over the hiring process of sheriffs after the arrest of an off-duty sheriff for allegedly threatening a Waianae fisherman with a weapon on Monday, Aug. 19.
Court documents showed the deputy has a history in Hawaii's court system.
The Department of Law Enforcement said every one of its officers goes through a multi-part background check before being hired to enforce State law. A House Corrections Committee member added that sheriffs and police officers have to have high standards.
"They are protecting our communities. And if they cannot maintain those standards based on past acts, then they should not be a recruit and they should not end up serving our communities in that capacity," Rep. Kanani Souza said.
Stanford Hokoana said on Tuesday, Aug. 20 that he will press charges, though court documents regarding the off-duty deputy accused of second-degree terroristic threatening were still not posted on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Other records filed show three court cases involving the deputy from over 10 years ago -- domestic abuse and third-degree assault in 2009 and another third-degree assault in 2010.
Those cases did not end in convictions, however, and the DLE deputy director said through a statement:
"Thank you for your inquiry regarding the criminal history of a DLE employee. The DLE cannot comment specifically about the employee or any ongoing criminal and internal administrative investigation.
Every DLE law enforcement officer undergoes a multi-part background check before being hired.
First, every DLE employee undergoes a criminal history check. When a criminal history check shows some kind of history, a review is conducted to determine whether there is a conviction that would disqualify the applicant from being hired. It is important to note that a criminal history can reflect arrests, however, an arrest is an allegation. While each situation is different, in general, a conviction, rather than an arrest for a crime of violence or moral turpitude, is disqualifying.
Second, every DLE law enforcement officer undergoes an initial and recurring firearms background check to determine the officer’s eligibility to possess a firearm. Among several things, a conviction for a crime of violence, including domestic violence, is disqualifying. Consequently, every DLE law enforcement officer currently in possession of a firearm has passed the recurring firearms background check and meets the federal requirements to possess a firearm.
Finally, every DLE law enforcement applicant undergoes a full background and suitability investigation to work in law enforcement. That initial background investigation includes a criminal history check, a check with references, a check with past employers, psychological testing and a truth verification test."
Jared Redulla, Department of Law Enforcement deputy director
Legal experts said a conviction in Monday's terroristic threatening case could lead to a more severe sentence for the deputy.
"Because I think the prosecutor would argue, 'Look, this person knows the laws and they know that they're not supposed to do this. And they're also showing, you know, throwing their weight around in a way that's causing people to be afraid for their lives,'" Doug Chin said.
DLE officials said pre-employment checks include background and suitability investigations to see if the applicant is a good fit for law enforcement, but Rep. Souza said change may be needed with nine sheriffs arrested on suspicion of harassment earlier in 2024 and another now being charged with terroristic threatening.
"Obviously our standards may not be high enough when we're recruiting and retaining and training law enforcement officers in our community," Rep. Souza said.