DPS affirms arrest of DOC officer

Fresh on the heels of reports that the Department of Corrections has recalled all service-issued firearms, it has now been learned that a DOC officer was arrested over a week ago for allegedly threatening his girlfriend with a gun.

DOC officer Anthony Cruz, 43, was arrested last April 9 on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence, and disturbing the peace. However, Cruz was released after his arrest pending investigation by the Office of the Attorney General.

To date, the OAG Criminal Division has yet to issue a warrant for Cruz’s arrest, said Chester Hinds, OAG Criminal Division’s chief prosecutor.

“He was arrested and released pending investigation into the allegations. There has been no warrant issued as of yet. We’re still looking at the evidence,” said Hinds.

According to a Department of Public Safety press release, DPS dispatch received a 911 call last April 9, at about 7:55pm, reporting a domestic violence incident at a residence in Finasisu.

During the investigation, the alleged victim told police that she had gone to pick up her boyfriend, Cruz, from DOC where he works. While in the car headed to their family compound, an argument ensued between the two over money, the victim claimed.

When they arrived at their family compound, the victim said Cruz stepped out of the car, took his service-issued firearm, and pointed it at her head, stating, “This is what you want?”

Later that evening, at around 11:50pm, DPS officers arrested Cruz on charges of domestic violence, disturbing the peace, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Before Cruz was transported to DOC to be booked and detained, DPS officers collected Cruz’s service-issued gun, and three magazines of ammunition as evidence.

DPS said the case has since been forwarded to the OAG’s Criminal Division.

Following the incident, Corrections Commissioner Anthony Torres recalled all service firearms that were issued to Corrections officers, as he plans to review DOC firearm policies in the CNMI.

“I recalled all the service-issued firearms because I am currently reviewing the policy pertaining to it. This is the first Department of Corrections that I am aware of that has service-issued firearms for all sworn personnel,” he said.

Although he didn’t speak on the arrest of one of his officers, Torres did state that he wanted to review service-issued firearm policies because the CNMI Department of Corrections is the first correctional facility he has served at that allows its officers to take home their service firearms.

“Sworn personnel here have service-issued firearms, but this is the first institution where they have been allowed to take it home. I recalled all of them and I am reviewing policy. They have access to it when on-duty at work and assigned to a special unit or when escorting inmates out of the institution,” he said.

Nationwide, police officers are usually the enforcement officers authorized to take home their firearms, not DOC officers, Torres explained. In light of this, Torres said he wants to thoroughly review the CNMI’s policies regarding service firearms, specifically for DOC.

“Police officers nationwide, I believe, are allowed to take home their service-issued weapons. Correctional officers, on the other hand, don’t in the mainland. They are armed when supervising or escorting inmates outside of the facility. The officers don’t have the service-issued weapons to take home with them, whereas police officers can take them home,” Torres said.