The public hearing held by the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation was attended by officers of DPS and the Department of Corrections.
The committee chairman, Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian, asked Mafnas about the $300,000 grant for the construction of the boating safety building on Tinian.
Cruz said he knew the amount was reduced to $200,000 because $100,000 was reprogrammed for another project.
Mafnas vowed to look into the matter and assured Cruz that Tinian will have its share when it comes to boating safety development projects.
He said he also plans to go to Rota to see the site of the proposed boating safety building there. He said if Rota will have this project, Tinian deserves it as well.
Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota, raised concern about the differences among officers of DPS with regard to promotions.
He told Mafnas that “fairness also plays a vital role in the morale of police officers.” Those who have been in the lowest ranks should have the opportunity to train so they can climb to higher ranks, the senator added.
Mafnas said training opportunities will be “spread out” to give everybody a chance.
Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind-Rota, asked Mafnas about his priorities.
Mafnas said he has three. First is the assessment of all assets — human resources as well as physical resources like equipment and funding.
The second priority is to look at the department’s objective — maintaining law and order and protecting life and property.
And third is the “adjustment in the organizational structure.”
Mafnas vowed to work closely with the men and women of DPS to achieve their objectives and move on with the reorganization amid the government’s limited resources.
Mafnas was a U.S. Marine aircraft squadron analyst. He has an associate in science degree in criminal justice from Guam Community College, was a regents’ scholar in criminal justice with emphasis on administration at the University of Guam.
He taught in Marianas High School and Northern Marianas College and worked in private sector before he became acting and then Corrections commissioner in 2006 and 2007.
He was then appointed senior policy advisor to the governor before he again headed Corrections.
