Previous Story
DPS chief appoints new dep’t officials
|
Posted on Dec 09 2004
Newly-appointed Department of Public Safety commissioner Santiago Tudela recently appointed new officials within the department, according to DPS spokesman Eric F. David.
David disclosed yesterday that Tudela’s previous position as deputy commissioner for operations would be filled by Maj. Juan Salas, who has been with the department for the past 19 years.
In an interview, Salas, who was previously chief of Office of Grants and Special Programs, said that, like the commissioner, his primary focus is on the morale issue within the department as well as continuing the investigations on alleged misconduct by its personnel.
“Those are among our biggest concerns,” he said. We’re going to clean house and let go of all the bad seeds in the department.”
Salas also extended appreciation to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who recently lifted the austerity measures for the department.
“It’s a plus and a good sign,” he said. “We’re going to bring up the morale…we’re not blaming anybody, but we’re just going to put more attention on morale issues. When we promote people, we want them to have the salary they deserve.”
David also indicated that Assistant Chief for Fire Francis Taimanao now serves as chief of OGSP, while Police is under the direction of Chief Bertha Tudela.
Tudela held the position a few years back before former commissioner Edward Camacho assigned her to a special intelligence program. The most recent chief of police was Antonio Ayuyu, who is now back at the Division of Corrections.
David said Deputy Commissioner for Administration Franklin Babauta, who is currently training in Fort Bliss, Texas before deployment to Iraq, still holds his position with the department.
He said Tudela, Taimanao, and Salas were appointed on Nov. 23.
Tudela and Taimanao were contacted for comment but were not available as of press time.
