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More law enforcement agencies?
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Posted on Sep 27 2000
The Issue: The proposed creation of more law enforcement agencies other than DPS under HB 12-64.
Our View: To establish a pile of uncoordinated law enforcement agencies would fuel waste and inefficiency.
In a community that is relatively peaceful where hand guns and high powered rifles are illegal, it would seem unreasonable to arm additional government employees to guard the ports of these isles.
If the issue pertains to extending benefits to non-law enforcement public sector employees who may be killed in the line of duty, then it should be granted by law without any further delay.
It is not a reason, however, to pile-up inefficiency in government using such superficial issue as an excuse to dish out firearms. It would be more prudent to strengthen the Department of Public Safety. The intent of the measure would only grant non-law enforcement agency employee fatal toys around their waistline.
With respect to dealing with the importation of drugs, it’s a matter of the right hand knowing what the left hand is doing. There should be a fully coordinated agency assignment on this matter. It’s about coordination, not more gun-toting public sector employees.
The NMI is an archipelago, not a border state where immigrants cross over during the night. Nor have we heard of overstayers arming themselves against local labor and immigration officials. In fact, most are not financially poised to even consider buying firearms for their protection. Their focus is on moonlighting for jobs, not the purchase of fatal weapons.
Statutory law enforcement must remain with the Department of Public Safety unless there’s a severe need that fully justifies equipping other agency employees with firearms. Otherwise, it would be a “recipe for waste and inefficiency”, not to mention our apparent inability to coordinate agency roles so that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. It’s a matter of coordination, no more, no less. Si Yuus Maase`!
