Governor Names Shawn Tsuha as Deputy Director of Law Enforcement, Department of Public Safety

News Release from Office of the Governor May 23, 2013

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the nomination of Shawn H. Tsuha to deputy director of law enforcement for the state Department of Public Safety, effective June 1, 2013.

“Shawn’s leadership has been tested over two decades with the Public Safety Department, abroad in service to our country, and, more recently, as part of the safely executed 2011 APEC forum,”Gov. Abercrombie said. “His track record, combined with his depth of training and experience, make him a smart choice for this department.”

Tsuha has worked within the Public Safety Department’s Sheriff Division since 1991. He was promoted in 2011 to Sheriff Division administrator, thereby assuming responsibilities for planning, directing and implementing various administrative program areas from budgeting and equipment to personnel and training. He also planned and successfully executed the department’s operation plan in support of the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Honolulu –the first National Special Security Event in the state.

A member of the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) since 1988, Tsuha served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and Operation Enduring Freedom (Kuwait) in 2008. He is currently the HIARNG Joint Forces Headquarters commander responsible for support staff oversight and coordination of all administrative and collective training for senior level staff elements.

Tsuha earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix, has associate degrees in justice administration and radiologic technology from the University of Hawaii, and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Class 234.

He is a certified trainer in incident response to terrorist bombing, antiterrorism (Level II), and Simunitions (non-lethal training ammunition). His additional training includes automated critical asset management systems, basic crisis negotiations, event security planning for public safety professionals, and special weapons and tactics or SWAT.

Tsuha was recognized as the 2004 State of Hawaii Public Safety Department Employee of the Year and 1990 U.S. Army Pacific Reserve Component NCO of the Year.

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