STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1436

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NO. 510

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 510, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director, Department of Law Enforcement

 

G.M. No. 510

JORDAN LOWE,

for a term to expire at noon on 12-07-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Jordan Lowe for service as the Director of the Department of Law Enforcement.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jordan Lowe from the Governor; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Education; Department of Human Services; Department of Taxation; Department of Defense; Department of Public Safety; Department of Transportation; Department of Health; Department of Agriculture; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Hawaii Paroling Authority; Department of Budget and Finance; Hawai‘i Office of Homeland Security; Hawai‘i State Fusion Center; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu; State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area; Care Hawaii, Inc.; RD Aton Enterprises, LLC; and sixty-one individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Jordan Lowe's experience, background, and knowledge of law enforcement qualify him for appointment as the Director of the Department of Law Enforcement.  Mr. Lowe has over forty years of law enforcement experience with various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Most recently, Mr. Lowe served as Deputy Director of Law Enforcement for the Department of Public Safety, where he managed administrative oversight for the Sheriff Division and Narcotics Enforcement Division.  He also previously served as the Chief Investigator for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Chief Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Section of the Department of Taxation, and as the Resident Agent in Charge and a supervisory special agent for the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Prior to joining the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in Honolulu, Mr. Lowe worked as a special agent for the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service's San Francisco Field Division. 

 

Your Committee finds that over the course of Mr. Lowe's career in law enforcement, he worked closely with law enforcement agencies at various levels of government.  This is particularly critical in Hawaii where collaboration between agencies is essential in addressing multi-jurisdictional issues that are often a challenge to combating criminal activity in the State.  He conducted significant multi-defendant narcotics investigations that were regional, national, and international in scope; provided technical assistance to state and local bomb squads as a Certified Explosives Specialist; directed other personnel assigned to high-risk operations as an Assistant Team Leader for Crisis Negotiations; and supervised and managed multifaceted financial investigations relating to Internal Revenue Service law enforcement.  In addition to receiving numerous commendations and awards for performance in service, Mr. Lowe has also acquired the necessary managerial and supervisory experience to lead at the departmental level. 

 

Your Committee notes that many testimonies in support of his appointment reference Mr. Lowe's considerable leadership skills, which has garnered the respect of those with whom he has interacted throughout his career based on his fairness, integrity, honesty, and strong work ethic.  Your Committee, therefore, finds that Mr. Lowe brings to the Department of Law Enforcement extensive expertise in public service in law enforcement and will be a crucial asset in forming the newly-created Department, developing its investigation programs, and centralizing its enforcement functions.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair