Previous Story
‘Proposed budget for DPS just keeps department afloat’
Mindful of the CNMI government’s precarious financial situation, what the Department of Public Safety is asking for as its next fiscal year’s budget is just enough to keep the department afloat, according to DPS chief Clement R. Bermudes.
In his testimony last week before the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee to go over DPS’ proposed budget for fiscal year 2024, Bermudes said their priorities are clearly the payroll for personnel, plus expenses for communication, utilities, and fuel.
He said there is no form of pay increase for personnel, no specific increase in training dollars, and no investment in information and communication systems.
He emphasized, though that the CNMI also needs to invest in DPS as part of the goal of implementing 21st century policing in the department. He said DPS is technologically disadvantaged and, that in order to move forward, there is a need to invest in technologies that are seen in the U.S. mainland, such as automated cameras that track violators.
“You make a right turn on a red, there’s a camera taking multiple pictures and you get a ticket in your mail,” Bermudes said.
He said technologies that would actually help investigators could be installed in strategic areas on the island to ensure that vehicles or people that are running away from a crime are recorded.
The commissioner said these technologies would also connect DPS to federal law enforcements and other jurisdictions in the Pacific.
“These are the investments that we need to start now,” he said.
