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Ierome resigns as CJPA executive director
Jerome Ierome has resigned as executive director of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency.
In a chance interview yesterday at the Judicial Complex, Ierome confirmed that he had indeed submitted his resignation letter to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on July 2 and that his resignation will take effect by next week, Aug. 2.
Ierome said he and his family will relocate to American Samoa so he could take care of his father.
“After the passing of my mother two months ago, I decided that it’s time for me to go and take care of my dad,” said Ierome, who is a native of Tula, a remote eastern district of American Samoa.
Ierome has been living on Saipan for 21 years. He served as CJPA executive director for five years and 10 months. He used to teach at Saipan Southern High School, Marianas High School, and the Northern Marianas College.
“I’m very sad that I have to leave. I made Saipan a home. This is basically a home for me. My wife is from here. I’m sad to leave but I have to make a very tough decision,” Ierome said.
He said they will return to the island for a visit every now and then.
Ierome hopes that the people they served and worked with in CJPA programs are happy with what they’ve done during his term.
CJPA is the designated office for the CNMI to receive federal funding under the U.S. Department of Justice. It was established in 1980 under the Office of the Governor though an executive order, which created the Northern Marianas Commonwealth Council for the Improvement of the Criminal Justice System.
In 1995, CJPA was moved and placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety for the purposes of coordination and administration of resources made available to law enforcement.
In 1998, pursuant to public law, CJPA returned to the Office of the Governor.
