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Tudela says he will continue some Norita programs
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Posted on Aug 05 2008
Acting Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela said yesterday he would continue some of the programs that Claudio Norita had implemented at DPS.
In an interview with Saipan Tribune, Tudela said some of Norita’s programs are good so he will let them proceed.
The acting commissioner, however, did not say which programs he will stop as he is still reviewing them.
On his appointment as acting commissioner, Tudela said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial had asked him if he could serve the department again.
“After considering that request, I decided to go back and keep the department moving,” he said.
Tudela said his priorities would be opening up the police and fire cycle to address the manpower shortage at DPS.
“Some of the guys are deployed to Iraq so I really need the academy going,” he said.
On Norita’s termination, Tudela said the former commissioner is his good friend.
‘We’re together at DPS. He knows that I can do the job. I’m just sad that he has to be removed as DPS commissioner,” he said.
As commissioner, Tudela said, DPS personnel expect him to provide them leadership and direction.
Tudela served as DPS commissioner during the Babauta administration.
In his farewell letter to DPS, Norita urged police personnel to work with Tudela in continuing the 16 programs that he had started.
