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DPS dissolves senior post
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Posted on Jan 27 1999
The Department of Public Safety has removed the position of deputy commissioner in an ongoing effort to re-organize the department and in support of the government’s austerity measure.
DPS Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. said the position was removed last Jan. 24 although the idea was discussed with former Deputy Commissioner Claudio K. Norita since November of last year.
Ingram said Norita was transferred to the Office of Special Programs, a post he held prior to his appointment, but reiterated that it was not a demotion.
“Clyde went back to his Civil Service position as major and gone back to OSP which he formerly held. The transfer was previously discussed to see how we operate by removing another top level and he agreed to it,” Ingram explained.
The change means more responsibility and authority were delegated to the directors of each division and some of Norita’s responsibilities were now being handled by Ingram.
It also means savings to the government of about $44,000 a year.
Ingram said that when he came into office, he saw that DPS is very heavy on the management level, having two deputy commissioners, one for administration and one for operations.
He felt that having two deputy commissioners would mean power struggle which is not good for DPS.
“I appointed Clyde as deputy commissioner and he was excellent in that but I saw other departments like Public Health, Labor and Immigration and CUC which do not have deputy directors but continue to provide services to the public,” he said.
Ingram also announced that the latest re-organization include transfer of several low-level personnel to the patrol unit and some patrol officers were transferred to the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
“We reduced top level management and increased the amount of patrol officers,” he added.
The commissioner said he is still looking at ways to further re-organize the department which should not give a wrong message to the community.
“Let’s look at it as our way of upholding our mission statement which is to enhance the quality of life in our community and serve the needs and protect all people within our jurisdiction,” he added.
