Retired DPS officers meet to form association

The creation of an association comprising retired or former Department of Public Safety officers will soon become a reality after a successful organizing meeting Thursday evening at the DPS Police Academy headquarters in Susupe.

According to head organizer and retired major Raymond B. Camacho, the meeting drew many positive feedback supporting the creation of such an association.

“The meeting went pretty good,” he said in an interview yesterday. “Now, we’re going to have a second meeting because the first was just an informal one, but everyone who attended were pretty positive about creating the association.”

The meeting was attended by about 19 individuals ranging from former commissioners to former directors, and lieutenants, among others.

“There were a lot of ideas that were presented on how to better improve the department and also assist the department in any way,” Camacho said. “These retirees are professionals. They’ve worked with the system. We can go in there and contribute and better the service for the community. The association will be the extra arms for the DPS.”

Camacho believes the association will be fully formed before the end of the year. He said, though, that much still has to be done.

“We’re going to try to reach more members, and also try to get the association chartered,” he said. “We will then draft our bylaws, and following that will an election. I think it will be done this year.”

The association will be composed of retired or former police and law enforcement officers, firefighters, and Corrections officers.

“The main purpose of organizing this association is to see what we [retired or former officers] can come up with to help the department and the community,” Camacho said during an earlier interview. “We’re veterans and are very knowledgeable on how the department works, so we’re going to try to assist to improve services for the department and the community.”

The association will be formed to organize a body for all public safety officers; promote efficiency in public safety work throughout the Commonwealth; promote sound development and administration of laws; maintain the highest standards of ethics, integrity, honor, and courtesy in the public safety profession; encourage a sound, practical and thorough training for public safety officers; and cherish a spirit of brotherhood among its members and to perpetuate the memory of those who have passed on.

Current DPS commissioner Edward Camacho, who recently disclosed that he would resign from his post effective this Monday, Oct. 25, said he supports the association and would be active in assisting officers through the group.

“I would definitely be a member because they’re also looking at assisting officers. It’s a good association to be a part of,” he said.

For more information, contact Raymond Camacho at 286-2802.