Gov. Linda Lingle said today that it would be a serious breach of the oath taken by officers of the Honolulu Police Department if reports are true that a police officer watched on and did nothing as a female palace employee was reportedly assaulted during a takeover of 'Iolani Palace by an activist group on Friday.

Meanwhile, Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa issued a statement that said "Although no formal complaint has been made, I am aware of the allegations regarding our initial response and have directed that an internal review be conducted."

Correa's statement said police assistance was requested by the state Department of Public Safety, which itself was assisting the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which is responsible for palace security.

"As a result of the request, I authorized that all necessary resources be provided," the statement said. "HPD's position has always been to provide full support for any law enforcement agency that requests it. The individuals who were arrested had clearly violated the law."

The governor seemed even more concerned about another unconfirmed report that a caller who dialed 911 during the alleged assault was also told, "It's not our jurisdiction," the governor said yesterday when asked by a reporter.

"It's so serious that if either or both (of the allegations) is true, then there has been a serious breakdown in the law enforcement oath that people take," said Lingle.

Lingle stressed, however, that the allegations are so significant that it's important for people not to jump to any conclusions until the facts are known.

At this point, she stressed, the allegations are only rumors. However, she added that if it turns out there's any truth to either, "We'll need to sit down with the mayor, the council and the police commission and talk this through."

"But I want to caution everyone to reserve judgment until we know what the fact are."

As far as the palace takeover, Lingle said it is important to make an example of those who knowingly "desecrate a state and national monument in this way.

"When I spoke to the attorney general yesterday as well as the director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and there is unanimous agreement about prosecuting (those responsible) to the fullest extent of the law."

Lingle said the DLNR is now in the process of reviewing the rules regarding 'Iolani Palace security. Those rules need to be rewritten in order to restrict access in order to maintain security, she said.

"It's always a balance between having access for the public — because it belongs to the public — but also protecting it."

Law enforcement officers from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources remained on the palace grounds overnight and into the early morning hours today after 23 members of a group that allegedly forced its way into the palace or occupied palace grounds were arrested about 8:30 Friday night.

Fifteen of those arrested face misdemeanor trespassing charges. But another eight of the protesters were arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary, a "C"-class felony under Hawai'i law punishable by up to five years in prison.

Those arrested on suspicion of the burglary offense were His Majesty Akahi Nui, leader of the group, as well as Wayne Nunes, Vinessa Fimbres, Tanya Kaahanui and Terry Kaahanui.

Also arrested on suspicion of burglary were Donald Love-Boltz, Waynette Nunes and Akahi Wahine

At 4 a.m. this morning, signs were posted at entrances to the place grounds saying the palace grounds are closed "until further notice."

The signs cited section 13-146-4 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules as the authority under which the grounds were closed.

The DLNR officers were backed up by a group of eight deputy sheriffs who kept watch of the palace grounds from the pedestrian mall between the State Capitol Building and the palace grounds.

Officers at the scene said all was quiet throughout the night after the initial arrests were made.

Heavy chains were fastened around most of the gates leading onto the palace property.

DLNR security vehicles were parked behind closed gates leading to the place grounds on the Richards Street and state library sides of the palace property.

Meanwhile, Maj. Alan Bluemke, a spokesman for the Honolulu Police Department, said HPD officials are looking into allegations that an HPD police sergeant witnessed a woman being assaulted during the occupation of the palace grounds but refused to intervene, saying it was outside his jurisdiction.

Bluemke said the department intends to issue a statement on the matter later today.