DPS Commissioner Clyde K. Norita, in a memorandum, asked all division commanders and supervisors to extend their full cooperation and assistance to the 32 personnel.
Norita wants his commanders and supervisors to work closely with the Reservists and coordinate their needs to take leave or compensated time as they try to get their personal life in order before the scheduled deployment.
According to Norita, some of these personnel are going on their second deployment and he understands their need to spend time with their family and friends before they depart to Kuwait.
Norita said the Reservists should carry light assignments while they transition for deployment.
He has directed the department’s time keeper to assist the personnel in ensuring that they exhaust their military and annual leave and compensation time before switching their status to leave without pay.
The timekeeper is further reminded that the personnel are granted a certain amount of military leave per calendar year and that they are properly credited while they are away.
“Join me in re-assuring our personnel that their job, rank, salary and assignment is secured and will be waiting for them when they return,” the commissioner said in his memo to the department’s division commander and supervisors.
DPS is now recruiting new police officers and firefighters who will fill the soon-to-be vacant positions in the department.
