Ayuyu to push for DPS accreditation

Major Juan M. Ayuyu stressed yesterday that getting the Department of Public Safety accredited by the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies is his primary concern as newly appointed acting Police Director, which became effective last May 16.

Ayuyu said that, although he is faced with many tasks, his main goal is to push for the accreditation.

“There are over 400 standards that must be established in order for that [accreditation] to be possible, and I have been tasked to do that,” he said.

Ayuyu, who replaced Maj. Bertha C. Tudela, said the accreditation is a long-term goal that could be expected 18 months from now.

“There is a long process ahead of us, and [in order] to get considered for the accreditation, we must meet the minimum standard of CALEA. As I mentioned earlier, there are about 400 standards, and we have to meet the minimum required to be recognized by CALEA.”

The Police chief said he expects to hit the minimum standard by the end of this year.

“I intend to accomplish that at least by the end of the year. Hopefully, we will get recognized, and from there, we can work toward accreditation. I will work on policies and procedures necessary to meet this goal.”

Among the tasks Ayuyu said he would address are operational problems, including personnel, equipment, and training.

“I have a monumental task,” he said. “There are a lot of things I would like to see implemented. Getting the department accredited, and at the same time maintain professionalism within the ranks.”

Ayuyu also expressed his desire to include departments in Rota and Tinian in the accreditation process.

“Getting accredited by CALEA helps in networking, federal grant assistance and across-the-board transfer or relationship with other departments nationwide,” Ayuyu said.

Ayuyu earned an Associate degree in Police Science at the Honolulu Community College. He then earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminology at University of Hawaii Manoa in 1982. He was employed as a detective upon arrival on Saipan and at one point, served as supervisor of the Patrol Section. He then transferred to the Rota DPS. He was hired as Assistant Chief for the Division of Corrections six years ago. He also taught in the Police Academy and said he “will continue providing service training.”

“With Corrections, I was developing policies under the American Corrections Association as well as local CNMI and federal laws,” he said. “I was also heavily involved in the planning and designing of the new prison facility. As a member of the prison task force, I worked with consultants and architects in designing and developing the overall program.”