Cost-cutting measures are clearly evident, as all DPS personnel, to include its investigators are mandated to park all government vehicles at the end of their work day. This rule does not apply to the on-call criminal or arson investigators who are expected to respond at anytime to high profile cases.
Mileage log sheets have also been implemented, where DPS personnel would log in the beginning and ending mileage of their vehicles during a whole work day. The mileage is then calculated at the end of the week and is monitored and scrutinized by the deputy commissioner’s office.
Government vehicle and office inspections have also being conducted to ensure that the department maintains a healthy and clean standard while interacting with the public. Additional cost saving measures include turning off all unused air-conditioning units, lights, and electrical equipment after office hours.
Random drug-testing on all DPS personnel is also currently ongoing.
That is the reason police officers and firefighters are often seen at the Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. in Gualo Rai where the testing is being done, in compliance with the deputy commissioner’s memo. Currently, 75 percent of all DPS personnel have complied with this order.
The deputy commissioner, who is also the island’s only certified CNMI range-master/firearms instructor, recently travelled to Rota where he certified police, customs as well as Fish and Wildlife personnel.
Certification was on the department’s standard issue 9mm pistol, 12-guage shotgun and M16 assault rifle. Assisting Ogumoro on this certification was firearms instructor David Anthony Hosono.
With Saipan and Rota police personnel recently being re-certified, Ogumoro will soon visit Tinian.
One of his biggest campaigns is the fight against illicit drugs and narcotics. With this in mind, he has also beefed up the Drug Enforcement Task Force by placing additional manpower into the unit.
He has also devised a means of countering reckless driving and drivers on island.
Dubbed as “ADIP,” which stands for Aggressive Driving Interdiction Program, this program involves having uniformed officers “saturating” or having themselves high visible along the main roads of the island to deter, detect and apprehend reckless drivers.
ADIP is a form of high visibility enforcement, which basically heightens public awareness of law enforcement presence, in hopes of minimizing reckless driving, traffic accidents and other problematic traffic related issues.
With the positive impact Ogumoro has brought to the department, high morale among personnel has also become apparent and joint-operations between DPS, CNMI Customs Services and the Commonwealth Ports Authority are also being established.
Ogumoro hopes that this is a sign that the Department of Public Safety will continue to better its means of addressing the public’s concerns for fighting crime.
He would like to ensure the general public that with the recent arrests and charges filed against its own personnel, he will continue to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for anyone, to include police and fire personnel who break the law.
Positive changes have been made to regain the public’s trust and confidence in the CNMI Department of Public Safety, he said.
