‘Bermudes’ resignation, Camacho’s reinstatement not related’

Acting Department of Public Safety commissioner Anthony Macaranas affirms that the reinstatement of Sgt. Peter Camacho, the officer who Gov. Arnold I. Palacios personally wrote to former commissioner Clement Bermudes about, has nothing to do with the ex-commissioner’s resignation.

Back in January, Bermudes resigned from his post after being told to do so by Palacios. A few days later, a memorandum dated December 2023 resurfaced where Palacios had expressed concerns over Bermudes not following his instructions, after Bermudes terminated Camacho. Last Feb. 15, Macaranas withdrew the notice of termination issued against Camacho.

Macaranas has now issued a statement saying Bermudes’ resignation had nothing to do with the reinstatement of Camacho.

“I took that decision myself; it was my decision to reinstate him but with conditions,” he said.

According to Saipan Tribune archives, Camacho had filed multiple grievances against DPS, alleging the department violated his due process rights by precluding him from applying for a merit-based salary increase, even if he was the top qualifying candidate as outlined in the rate increase announcements.

Camacho also alleged that DPS selected unqualified candidates for the salary increase, violating the open, competitive selection policies of the Civil Service Commission’s rules and regulations.

Camacho also appealed the CSC’s decision denying the grievances he filed against DPS, alleging that the commission violated his rights, as well as the OGA. The appeal was filed with the Superior Court.

According to Camacho’s lawyers, the commission violated Camacho’s substantive and procedural due process rights by failing to notify him of a Dec. 5, 2023, special meeting and depriving him the opportunity for his grievances to be heard.

In addition, Camacho’s lawyers claim that the commission unanimously denied Camacho’s grievances after deliberating in an executive session that’s away from the public and thus violating the OGA.

DPS was also named a party in the appeal.