Tudela: Moving DPS forward a priority

Department of Public Safety acting commissioner Col. Sandy F. Tudela is determined to address issues facing the department—including restoring personnel morale—as he works toward making DPS an accredited department.

During an interview Wednesday, Tudela said he has scheduled a staff meeting today to discuss various issues that need to be addressed, citing that cooperation from everyone within the department is necessary.

“We’re still going to try to move the department forward,” he said. “We’re going to need to work as a team. It will take a lot of team effort and team work.”

Tudela, who has served about 21 years in the department, said accreditation by the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, although a very long process, ranks as one of his priorities as it will establish the DPS as a recognized professional police department.

“Once accredited, then it’s good for us,” he said. “It takes a long process, but if we don’t move, we will never get there.”

Another issue being eyed is the promotion of officers within the department.

“We still have some officers who were not promoted. All those officers who are eligible to be promoted, eventually they would be, and I will see to it that it comes with salary [increases],” he said. “I don’t want to promote somebody and give them the…extra work to do and not compensate [them].”

Other issues on Tudela’s agenda include improving work relations with all members of DPS, including firemen and police from Rota and Tinian, especially line level officers; manage and resolve issues related to the deployment of DPS personnel, including job retention and management of replacements; address management and personnel issues within the Fire Division, including morale, salary, and training; participate in successful review of DPS operations by consultants from the National Police Foundation (“if we’re successful in obtaining a grant for their services”); review budget issues to include equipment, uniforms, vehicles, promotions, salary level of DPS members, overtime, grant monitoring and grant compliance; review and strengthen ongoing staff training, strengthen anti-corruption activities through staff training and supervisor accountability; and establish a good working relationship with the Attorney General’s Office.

Also, Tudela disclosed that plans and options for a volunteer fire department will be pursued.

As to accepting the role as appointed commissioner of the department, Tudela said he is willing to take up the challenge but he must address his staff first.

“I’ll need to look into it because I’ll need to talk to my staff. If they support me, then yes, I will take it. What’s the use of taking the job when you don’t have the support from the staff and management. I can take the challenge and move this department to be where it’s supposed to be,” he said.