THE Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation may summon Public Safety Commissioner Edward C. Camacho to discuss his status with the military, Senate Vice President David M. Cing said.
Cing, D-Tinian and chairman of the committee, was reacting to the concern raised by Rep. Herman T. Palacios, R-Saipan, who claimed that Camacho’s appointment may have violated the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of military personnel on active duty in civilian law enforcement.
Cing said he assumed that Camacho would be automatically released from military service after the Senate confirmed his nomination.
Camacho recently took a leave of absence from his post at DPS and is now on active duty with the U.S. Army.
“I never joined the military so I did not understand that the clearance process would take long before he would be released from his duty with the Army,” said Cing in an interview on Wednesday.
Cing said he will instruct the Senate legal counsel “to go over” Camacho’s records. The committee may also request Camacho to “explain” the matter.
He said Camacho “is really performing at DPS and it is a pity that he had to take a leave from the department.”
Cing at the same time assailed the House of Representatives for adopting a resolution urging the Senate to expeditiously confirm the appointments of some nominees. “I didn’t follow the resolution. But Camacho’s case is a classic example why the House should not make such resolution,” he said.
