The Civil Service Commission held a status conference last Aug. 26 regarding the appeal submitted by Alfred Celes following his demotion to police officer 2.
Celes said the demotion paper was served to him on his birthday, June 7.
Celes is the husband of former Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Cecilia Celes.
It was not clear whether she resigned or was fired a few months ago, but she was replaced by former Rep. Melvin O. Faisao who was appointed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial as acting DCCA secretary.
In an interview yesterday, Alfred Celes’ legal counsel Mark Hanson said during the status conference, the Civil Service Commission panel that heard the police officer’s case indicated that there should be a cause for the demotion and a 30-day notice.
“Celes was demoted and his salary was decreased without due process at all,” Hanson said.
After his demotion, Celes went through the grievance procedure within the Department of Public Safety but there has been no response, Hanson said.
This prompted his client to file an appeal with the Civil Service Commission.
Celes had been a PO2 for years, serving the community as patrolman when he was promoted to sergeant in 2007.
This reporter tried but failed to get a comment from DPS yesterday.
