8 Hawaii Sheriff's Deputies Now On Leave As Harassment Investigation Unfolds

Lina Portman7 days ago

19 2 minutes read

Eight state sheriff's deputies have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into allegations that a black sheriff's deputy in training was racially harassed by his colleagues during briefings, a source says close to the file.

The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrest of a deputy on June 18 for harassment, and announced another arrest of a deputy sheriff's sergeant on Tuesday for the same charge.

The offense of harassment includes what the courts have described as “abusive communications.” Harassment is a minor offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

Deputy Sheriff Alvin Turla (Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement)

According to the source, among the eight civil servants placed on leave, there was at least one supervisor. The eight men allegedly made fun of the racist comments about fried chicken and watermelon instead of reporting them to the department's chain of command, according to the source.

The ministry declined to comment on any suspensions related to the harassment cases.

Last week, the department released a news release announcing that it had arrested Deputy Sheriff Alvin Turla, 46, on June 18 for harassment. The statement gives no explanation as to who Turla allegedly harassed, or why.

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Then, on Tuesday, Wayne Ibarra, acting public information officer for the Department of Law Enforcement, announced that the department's Criminal Investigation Division had also arrested sheriff's Deputy Sergeant Erich Mitamura, 40, for harassment .

The source said Turla and the other deputies who were placed on leave are based in the state Capitol building and several incidents are under investigation. The harassment allegedly occurred between late December and March during MPs' start-of-shift briefings.

Sheriff's Deputy Sergeant Erich Mitamura (Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement)

The Department of Law Enforcement was created this year to consolidate law enforcement agencies that previously reported to various state agencies into a single state department and to separate law enforcement functions from state corrections law.

It included the state Harbor Patrol, the Narcotics Enforcement Agency, the state Office of Homeland Security as well as the Sheriff's Division, which provides security at courthouses and airports.

Deputy sheriffs investigate crimes and misdemeanors and made nearly 3,000 arrests in fiscal year 2023, according to the Department of Public Safety's annual report.