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Jones wants fire, corrections out of DPS
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Posted on Jan 24 2001
Rep. Dino M. Jones has asked Assistant Attorney General James Benedetto for assistance in drafting a proposed legislation which will provide for the separation of administrative functions of the Divisions of Corrections and Fire from the Department of Public Safety.
Mr. Jones, Chair of the Committee on Judicial and Governmental Operations is looking at the possibility of passing a legislation that will remove the Divisions of Corrections and Fire under DPS because he believes that the offices will function effectively as separate administrative components.
However, due to Constitutional restrictions, it may not be possible to enact legislation that would designate these operations as additional executive departments.
While the two divisions will still remain under DPS, Mr. Jones said budgetary control and authority over personnel and operations should be delegated to the directors of the Divisions of Fire and Corrections.
The House committee will have to find a way on how to make the necessary changes to ensure the efficiency in delivery of service to the community, he added.
Mr. Jones’ proposal was a result of the recent meeting with DPS officials in Guam where he saw the Fire and Corrections elevated to department level.
According to the legislator, the current set up makes it difficult for the Commissioner of Public Safety to allocate funds equally among the three divisions since the immediate concern is to provide priority to the Division of Police.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jones suggested that Guam and the CNMI may look at the possibility of ordering a set of police and vehicular equipment at the same time to get the lowest price amid limited funding. (Lindablue F. Romero)
