‘DPS needs $32M for FY 2005’

To ensure his department’s accreditation, Public Safety commissioner Edward Camacho said yesterday that an increase in funding for the department would be necessary in the next fiscal year.

Camacho said the department needs between $31 million and $32 million for fiscal year 2005—a $1 million to $2 million increase from the department’s $30-million request for fiscal year 2004.

“The $31-$32 million would be used for training and CALEA—Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, as well as operational and equipment costs, salary, and providing educational programs for the community,” he said. “With that, we also hope to [fill] the current vacancies.”

Camacho said the department is currently “not okay with funds” this year, with less than half—a little under $14 million—of its request being granted.

“We’re still requesting for a little more. Every quarter, we have to pay vendors a lot, and it’s difficult to be within the budget when operation is demanding for more. However, it’s not so much to a point where we’re not able to perform our duties, but we are asking people to do twice as much.”

Camacho also disclosed that another issue that needs additional funds deals with operation vehicles within the department.

“Fifty percent of the fleet are not in the condition that they should be in,” he said. “Fifty percent is operational, but the other half is at risk or in need of repair. We have to identify money for that, but money is not really there.”

Further, Camacho said the push to compensate promoted personnel according to their new ranks is still ongoing.

“Even in the midst of austerity measure, the department is still striving and working with the administration and Legislature for appropriate compensation of officers,” he said. “We want to award them salaries that come with the promotion. Officers accepted the promotions pending the availability of funds. They have the authority and responsibility, but the appropriate compensation is not there yet, and we are striving to get that rectified.”

Meantime, Camacho confirmed that the department has already submitted the documents requested of it by the House of Representatives. He said all documents were submitted last week.

“We turned a lot of stuff in, and according to folks from Capitol Hill, everything is turned in,” he said.

Camacho said information requested dealt with funds on personnel and equipment.

“They are trying to assist with funding. Everything is okay. They may be asking for other information that are still in need, and we will provide it when they request it. There’s no problem with that, especially when it is public information and is something to use for policy making. It will benefit us as well.”

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial had formed an investigative committee that would force various agencies to appear and respond to the chamber’s inquiries following a reported failure by certain agencies to submit required documents. Among the agencies that have reportedly failed to submit documents were the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the DPS.