Mendiola urges DPS personnel to unite

Acting Gov. Joseph M. Mendiola urged yesterday the men and women of the Department of Public Safety to unite in order to provide efficient services to the community.

“I know that DPS has recently been through rough waters. I as acting governor would like to encourage everyone in this room, especially the officers to work, to please work together with your subordinates and your boss, especially with the acting commissioner [Ray Mafnas],” said Mendiola, apparently referring to the events that led to the termination of Ernest Mark Williams as DPS commissioner.

Mendiola made the appeal after signing two proclamations declaring May 15 to 27 as CNMI Police Week and May 15 to June 3 as Click It Or Ticket Mobilization period.

“Let us show this community that we can do the job. Of utmost importance is to think of our community,” said the acting governor in the ceremony at the governor’s conference room.

Many police officers and ranking DPS officials led by deputy commissioner Juan Wabol and Maj. Edward Manalili attended the proclamation signing. Some ports police officers were also present.

“If there is any bad image that’s coming from DPS because of management problem; it makes the community really question our safety,” he said.

Mendiola appealed to the officers—both subordinates and supervisors—to show the community that they can work together.

With respect to the police week, Mendiola said police officers serve a very vital function in the government and throughout society.

“They also support the economy by protecting private property and private property rights. Governments are formed to protect individual rights and private property,” he pointed out.

“We cannot privatize a police force to save money and gain greater efficiency,” he said.

“This is why I am very proud to take this time to properly recognize the service and sacrifices of our police force. I also encourage our local community to honor and respect the valuable contributions of all our police officers and extend vital community support in preventing and solving crimes,” Mendiola said.

He also mentioned the police officers “who died in the line of duty to protect our rights.”

On the Click It or Ticket Mobilization campaign, the acting governor said the DPS’ goal is to establish a 100 percent compliance rate regarding use of seatbelts and child safety seats in the CNMI.

‘We want all of our Commonwealth drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts at all times, while traveling in a vehicle, even if it is only for a very short trip to the neighborhood store,” he added.

Acting DPS commissioner Ray Mafnas called on law enforcers to join together in maintaining the highest standard of conduct and professionalism.

“As law enforcement officers, we must impartially enforce the laws of the land and also serve as stewards of the fundamental civil rights and liberties found in our Constitution,” Mafnas said.

He said law enforcers should never forget that the authority given to all law enforcement agencies originated from the very people they serve.

“We are accountable to the people,” Mafnas stressed.