Major revamp at DPS

Department of Public Safety acting Commissioner Claudio K. Norita announced yesterday a major reorganization at the department.

Norita disclosed that the Criminal Investigation Bureau would be upgraded to a division level, while two sections—the Fiscal Affairs Section and the Legislative Liaison Section—would be created.

The commissioner appointed veteran crimebuster Maj. Edward H. Manalili to the revived Criminal Investigation Division and tapped assistant Fire chief Francis Taimanao to be the officer-in-charge of the Fiscal Affairs Section.

Norita named Sgt. Tarsicio K. Olopai, the current chief of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, as officer-in-charge of the Legislative Liaison Section.

In a press briefing yesterday, the commissioner said he has been busy the past week reviewing and meeting with division commanders and section leaders in the department.

“This is the first step in our reorganization. It is a transitional step because it affects critical units in the department,” he said.

Norita said that Manalili would be the officer-in-charge of the revived CID effective March 30. CID was renamed the Criminal Investigation Bureau in the early ’90s.

As CID chief, Manalili will be responsible in providing leadership to all of the department’s investigative units to include general crime, property crime, juvenile crime, white-collar crime, violent crime, domestic violence, special investigation, drug task force, and all federal and local task forces.

Norita expressed confidence that Manalili’s vast criminal investigation experience in both federal and local law enforcement would significantly benefit the department in its effort to build an effective investigative agency.

Taimanao assumed the position of officer-in-charge of the Fiscal Affairs Section effective March 13. Norita explained that FAS would handle all administration and federal grants under DPS.

The commissioner said Taimanao would also be the only point of contact for all Homeland Security grants and all other external agencies relating to federal grants.

Norita said he believes in Taimanao’s leadership and management abilities in carrying out his additional responsibilities.

Regarding the Legislative Liaison Section, Norita said that Olopai will work closely with the CNMI Legislature in providing educational and information service to lawmakers with respect to specific DPS issues and concern. Olopai becomes section OIC effective March 30.

Manalili said he appreciates Norita’s trust and confidence in him as head of CID.

“I will be providing the leadership in the CID, basically trying to get everybody back into step and to move in one direction—the direction that the commissioner had set. We will be following that direction and bring DPS back to its feet,” said Manalili, who used to serve as CIB chief.

Taimanao said he is fortunate that Norita trust him in the administration of federal grants.

“With the merger of the administration services for the department, that’s kind of a big task, but I am willing to take the challenge,” Taimanao said.

Olopai said he appreciates the commissioner believing in him.

“For me, [DPS] is a paramilitary organization. If they send you out there, you have to. It will be a challenging job for me,” Olopai said.