GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Tuesday signed into law House Bill 22-20, “to clarify the Commonwealth Ports Authority ports police’s authority, power, and recognition as a CNMI law enforcement agency.”
“On behalf of CPA police and the entire upper management and staff of CPA, we thank you for being here this morning and signing this important bill for CPA police in the enhancement of their enforcement powers,” ports police chief Juan T. Dela Cruz told Torres on Tuesday morning.
Authored by House Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, the bill, which is now Public Law 22-21, amends Title 2, Division 2, Chapter 1 of the Commonwealth Code.
Previously, ports police officers, unlike Customs officers, did not possess the authority to arrest individuals in the act of committing a crime within port jurisdiction.
At the time, ports police officers were barred from detaining a perpetrator until the proper authorities were present for proper detainment, which proved to be very problematic in the event a Customs officer was unable to be present at the scene.
The new law states that such circumstances needed to be rectified by providing the ports police officers with the proper law enforcement authority to ensure better protection at all Commonwealth ports.
The bill was introduced in the House on Feb. 19, 2021, and amended based on recommendations by the House Committee on Ways and Means before being passed by the House on March 29, 2022.
It was transmitted to the Senate on April 1, 2022 and unanimously passed by the senators in early August before going to the governor’s desk for action.
Asked for comment, Vice Speaker Attao on Wednesday said he is happy to know that the governor signed the bill, which will give CPA ports police “true law enforcement authority that was accidentally removed during the redrafting of gun laws in the CNMI.”
“The bill was a product of the collaboration between the Legislature, CPA, and ports police,” Attao said.
The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Roy C. A. Ada, Celina R. Babauta, Ivan A. Blanco, Vicente C. Camacho, Angel A. Demapan, Joseph A. Flores, Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero, Richard T. Lizama, Donald M. Manglona, Edwin K. Propst, Christina M. E. Sablan, Patrick H. San Nicolas, Leila H. F. C. Staffler, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, and House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul.
Governor Ralph DLG Torres, center seated, poses for a photo with the Commonwealth Ports Authority ports police, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan and Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero in the governor’s conference room on Tuesday morning.
Governor Ralph DLG Torres signs House Bill 22-20 into law. Authored by House Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, the bill is now Public Law 22-21.
Ports police chief Juan T. Dela Cruz delivers his remarks.
Ports police chief Juan T. Dela Cruz and Gov. Ralph DLG Torres converse.
Ports police officers fill the governor’s conference room on Tuesday morning.
