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Fix the DPS crisis
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Posted on Oct 18 2005
This is just a simple note to the Legislature and the Babauta administration: Don’t wait until a crisis comes up with the Department of Public Safety’s manpower situations. You must not merely look at the “police” but also the “firefighters. They both need human resources so they can focus on their prevention programs and reaction concerns. I therefore ask you to all work together to ensure that the Commonwealth’s demands for “protection of lives and property” are met. Why do you have to wait for so many months to fill up a vacancy position? What can all of you do to help the DPS with less political interest?
On the other matter, the Department of Correction also needs “manpower” to meet the demand of their missions and objectives, especially the need to upgrade both the Rota and Tinian correctional facilities. Please be reminded that the Department of Public Safety is a “core” agency of the so-called “Homeland Security.” They must all work in partnerships and they all need the support of the Legislature and administration and, of course, the judicial system.
I suggest that the administration ask the Office of Personnel Management to assist the Department of Public Safety in any way possible to meet their needs, and must address their concerns to the Legislature as soon as possible, because we cannot play with the lives and safety of our community in general. You must not play with the needs of Public Safety!
Jose M. Castro
Retired DPS Commissioner
Spanaway, Washington/San Antonio, Saipan
