Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement Deputies Accused of Racially Harassing Black Co-Worker

Four deputies from the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement are facing serious allegations of racially harassing their Black co-worker, Deputy Martin Horton. The harassment reportedly began after Horton graduated from training in December of 2023 and continued for months, with racially charged insults and inappropriate comments being directed at him.

Horton finally spoke up about the harassment in March when a probe by the Criminal Investigations Division into work culture provided him with an opportunity to report the mistreatment he had been enduring. Following his complaint, deputies Alvin Turla, Sgt. Erich Mitamura, William Gary, and William Keahi were all placed on paid leave pending investigations into the allegations.

Deputy Keahi faces additional charges of reckless endangering for allegedly forcing Horton to run into airport traffic to stop a moving vehicle on foot. While the specifics of the charges against the deputies have not been disclosed by the department, Horton believes they are a result of him speaking out about the racial harassment he experienced.

Horton expressed concerns for his safety and that of his family, prompting authorities to grant him special protection and relocate him to an alternate location. Despite the challenges he faced, Horton remains steadfast in his decision to come forward and shed light on the mistreatment he endured in the workplace.

The case has sparked discussions about workplace culture and the importance of addressing issues of racial harassment and discrimination within law enforcement agencies. As the investigation unfolds, the deputies involved will have to answer for their alleged actions, and Horton’s bravery in speaking out against injustice serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against discrimination.