Inter-Office DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY No,
MEMORANDUM
‘Suspense:
April 22, 2019
TO: AllEmployees,
S he
FROM: Nolan P. Espintda, Director
| want to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for your commitment and dedication to
the Department's mission. We have accomplished a lot in the last four years, and I credit each of
you for these achievements,
Recent fatal shootings involving PSD employees and a riot/disturbance at the Maui Community
Correctional Center (MCCC) have brought the Department front and center attention from the news
media and the public. As you know, these events are unfolding at the same time that the Senate is,
considering my re-confirmation as PSD Director, and there is naturally a great deal of criticism that
has come my way. I have leamed a lot during this confirmation process and I am grateful of the fact
that so much of the criticism was constructive. Among those mentioned was fear of retaliation
against employees who have submitted testimony in opposition to my re-confirmation. While I am
saddened that some employees have expressed fear of retaliation, [ want to assure everyone that I
have not, and will not, retaliate against anyone who has submitted testimony in opposition to my re-
confirmation. There is no place for retaliation at PSD; that is not who I am, and I firmly reject it.
Some MCCC employees have expressed their concems over working conditions and their fear of
retaliation for bringing these concerns forward. It’s difficult to put myself in the shoes of these
‘employees who have just gone through so much, But when I do, I can’t imagine that anyone could
think of retaliating against these dedicated people, who have just endured personal danger in
restoring order and security to the heavily damaged facility, while insuring the safety of inmates and
their fellow employees. They ate to be commended and not second-guessed for their continued
commitment and professionalism,
Everyone should note that I take very seriously the Department’s long-standing policies on anti-
retaliation and anti-harassment, and I expect these and all policies be strictly adhered to and
enforced. I believe we all want a workplace free of harassment and retaliation, and so, we must
mutually respect differences of opinion. Related to this is PSD’s policy on Complaints, which
allows any employee to file a complaint against the Department or staff. The policy requires that the
complaint will receive prompt attention, and any action taken must follow due process procedures
for good cause.
Some of the criticism expressed in testimony opposing my confirmation sharpened the focus on
many of the issues we have yet to tackle or that need reinforcement. These include the following:
+ Eaming CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement
Agencies) accreditation for our Sheriffs — it’s clear that our progress in this
‘matter is not up to the desired level that I had committed myself to four years
ago. That shortcoming falls to me and to no one else. I pledge to refocus the
Department's energy and resources towards meeting this goal.
“An Equal Opportunity Employer/Agensy"PSD Employees
Department of Public Safety
April 22, 2019
Page 2
‘The above are
Less-Lethal Devices ~ since FY 2017, I have requested but been unsuccessful
in securing such funding. PSD’s FY 2019 request for the next biennium
‘budget reflects our firm commitment to move forward with continued training
and acquisition of less-lethal devices to provide options for Sheriffs and
‘ACOs, In light of recent events, I am hopeful that lawmakers will support our
efforts
Overcrowding — itis no secret that our facilities are overcrowded. I have long,
expressed my concerns to decision makers as well as publicly, and the 2016
Legislature appropriated $15M for KCCC, $15M for HCCC, and $7.5M for
MCCC for additional housing. These projects are currently in progress, but
much more needs to be done,
On March 22th, after some of the damage had been cleared, PSD
administrative staff, together with MCC staff and a construction consultant
assessed the restoration work needed at the facility, resulting in our making an
‘emergency request to the Governor for $5.3M to address the immediate needs
in the current 2019 fiscal year and $8M in CIP funding for FY 2020 for long
term health and safety improvements to MCCC modules. These funding
proposals were put before the Legislature during the last weeks of this,
Session.
some of the most important projects that need to be completed, and there are more, as,
Ipreviously stated. If confirmed, I believe that the stability and consistency we have been blessed to
establish over the past four years have set the stage for even greater accomplishments in the next
four years. An
without such a
1d as 1 also stated before, my role and progress as Director would not be possible
strong and reliable workforce. You have my gratitude and with it, the hope that you
will continue to take pride in doing the outstanding work you do everyday, in the toughest
department in the State.